Erik ten Hag called the treatment of Donny van de Beek at Manchester United a 'mortal sin' last year - proving he'll be handed a career lifeline.
It was confirmed on Thursday that ten Hag will become United's permanent manager at the end of this season after agreeing on a compensation package with Ajax.
Van de Beek joined United from the Dutch giants in 2020 but is currently on loan at Everton after failing to cement a place in the starting XI.
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Ten Hag was asked about his former player's struggles in England late last year and didn't hold back.
When discussing young players leaving Ajax, ten Hag told De Volkskrant: "Take Donny. I find that hard, a mortal sin.
"If you haven’t had a chance yet, then development will also stall."
Van de Beek won the Eredivise under ten Hag and was part of the Ajax team that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, with the pair sharing a close bond throughout that period.
Ten Hag added: "Everyone understands that as a top athlete you want to push your limits. If you don’t have that mentality, then you don’t belong here.
"But when are you going to do that and at which club? What is your motivation? I try to get that thought process going."
Van De Beek has only featured in 50 games for United across two seasons and joined Everton in search of first-team football.
It's likely he'll now have a future at Old Trafford and a number of teammates have been in contact about ten Hag.
The Netherlands international is said to have told members of the United squad that ten Hag is a 'perfectionist' with intense training sessions.
United parted ways with club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November and hired Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis until the end of this season.
The Red Devils quickly identified ten Hag as a frontrunner for the job alongside Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Eventually, they settled on ten Hag and he can't wait to get started.
"It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead," he told United's official website.
"I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.
"It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United."
Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Donny van de Beek, Premier League
Daniel Marland