Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen is baffled by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reluctance to hand more first-team minutes to summer signing Donny van de Beek.
The Dutchman became United's first major signing of the summer window, signing from Ajax for around £35million, but has struggled to cement a place in the starting XI.
Solskjaer has used the midfielder sporadically so far this season with van de Beek seeing his playing time extremely limited during the festive period.
The midfielder played just two minutes in the Carabao Cup defeat against Manchester City and Solskjaer's handling of the situation has been widely criticised.
Meulensteen - who worked under Sir Alex Ferguson - admitted it was strange to see the 23-year-old not playing regularly.
"I don't think it's about [just] the treatment - it's part and parcel of being a professional footballer - especially when you move clubs," he told Stadium Astro last month.
"I think why people in Holland are baffled is that Donny van de Beek - you can ask anyone in Holland - is a very, very good player.
"He had a similar impact for Ajax at the time that Bruno Fernandes has for Man United now. It really surprises me that we haven't seen him more often and to have more starts."
Solskjaer revealed van de Beek would feature against Watford in the FA Cup and assured supporters he has spoken to his player over his current situation at Old Trafford.
He said: "I’ve answered this question so many times and there’s so many examples of players needing a little bit of time.
"Quality players, we have many examples ourselves and there are other clubs with examples and sometimes it takes time.
"You don’t expect people who care for him to be quiet at times, especially when they want the best for them. Donny is going to play tomorrow, it’s another chance for him.
"And, yes, I’ve spoken to him and made him aware of how much we rate him but he will play tomorrow and it’s a good chance again for him to kick on."
