Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains why Manchester United signed Donny van de Beek

Pogba has started both of United’s Premier League games this season starting alongside Bruno Fernandes and Nemanja Matic in the middle of the park for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. That has meant that summer arrival Donny van de Beek has had to settle for a place on the bench, coming on to score in his debut against Crystal Palace.

straight to your inboxSolskjaer reacts to criticism of United’s quiet transfer activityManchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at criticism of the club’s activity in this summer’s transfer window. Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek has been the Reds’ only signing so far in a window where they have been outspent by their top-four rivals.

straight to your inboxOle Gunnar Solskjaer took umbrage with the accusation Manchester United risk standing still if they end the transfer window having made only one signing.United bought midfielder Donny van de Beek from Ajax in a deal worth up to £40million but the club have failed to even make a bid for priority target Jadon Sancho and the transfer window is only open until October 5.With deadline day in just over a week's time, United are under mounting pressure to strengthen their squad,

straight to your inbox Ian Wright has suggested Donny van de Beek would have been a more appropriate signing for Arsenal than Manchester United. The Dutch midfielder is Ed Woodward's only summer signing to date, having joined from Ajax earlier in the window.

straight to your inboxJamie Carragher has identified Manchester United's midfield as a potential area of weakness this season.Whilst the signing of Donny van de Beek and Bruno Fernandes' form last season led many to believe midfield would be an area of strength for the Reds this season, their campaign started with a disappointing defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend. Carragher believes the attacking nature of United's midfield will make it easier for teams to hit them on the break.

straight to your inboxOle Gunnar Solskjaer admits Manchester United are 'short' after their Premier League season started with a humiliating home defeat to Crystal Palace.United were humbled 3-1 by Palace amid mounting fan disgruntlement over their lack of transfer activity and their only summer signing, Donny van de Beek, started on the bench.

United man has explained how Solskjaer keeps harmony in the squad, despite fierce competition for places, especially in Fred's midfield position. Donny van de Beek and Bruno Fernandes have arrived to rival Fred, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.Solskjaer is a master at keeping everyone happy and motivated, the Brazlian said. "He is very easy to deal with," Fred told FourFourTwo.

straight to your inboxDonny van de Beek says Manchester United 'need a lot of players' if they are going to seriously compete for silverware this season.United have gone three years without a trophy and tasted defeat in three separate semi-finals under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season.Despite a rejuvenated run in the Premier League after the restart in June the squad struggled when it came to straight knockout matches in the cup competitions.Van de Beek remains the only new arrival in the summer

straight to your inboxOle Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United are working on more signings before transfer deadline day.United bought Donny van de Beek from Ajax in a deal worth up to £40million but the midfielder remains their only summer signing amid interest in Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.The online contingent of United's fanbase has been up in arms that the club passed on Real Madrid duo Sergio Reguilon and Gareth Bale, while there was more outrage at Liverpool's imminent

1-0 pre-season defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, dominating the first half but falling behind to an Ollie Watkins goal.And although players like Shaw, Daniel James and Donny van de Beek impressed, the United left-back admitted it has been a strange pre-season so far.

straight to your inboxHere are your Manchester United morning headlines for Sunday, 13 September.

straight to your inboxOle Gunnar Solskjaer says Donny van de Beek was the 'biggest plus' in Manchester United's friendly defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.Van de Beek played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 loss at Villa Park on his first appearance since signing from Ajax for €39million this summer.United were without midfielders Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Fred and Nemanja Matic so Van de Beek started alongside Scott McTominay, substituted at half-time for Ethan Galbraith, in an axis behind

straight to your inbox Donny van de Beek has impressed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in his first training sessions with Manchester United.Van de Beek, 23, only arrived at United's Carrington training complex on Wednesday following international duty with the Netherlands but is expected to make his first appearance in the friendly at Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. "He’s been training only a couple of days but he’s a bright, bubbly character," Solskjaer told MUTV.