Donny van de Beek reacts to first Manchester United league start
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| A lot. I mean, you always want to start, and that's what I can do today so I'm really happy |
Donny van de Beek admitted it was tough to remain patient but is delighted to have been handed his first Premier League start for Manchester United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given Van de Beek his first league start for the game against Southampton after the Dutchman impressed in the Champions League.
Van de Beek was influential in United's home victories over RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir in the European competition and is looking to build on those performances at St Mary's. He starts with Fred, Nemanja Matic and Bruno Fernandes in what appears to be a midfield diamond for United versus the Saints.
"Yes I feel good," he told Sky Sports before kick off when asked for his reaction to the team news. "If we get three points today, I'll feel much better. But we have prepared good, so let's see."
He then admitted he had to show patience as he eventually worked his way into Solskjaer's starting line-up, and warned his United teammates about the dangers Southampton will pose in the Premier League encounter.
On how much patience he had to have, Van de Beek said: "A lot. I mean, you always want to start, and that's what I can do today so I'm really happy.
"Yes they [Southampton] showed they are a really strong team, they payed good, so we need to be really sharp and play as a team."