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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer singled out Donny van de Beek and Dean Henderson for praise after a 1-0 preseason loss to Aston Villa on Saturday.
United came down to an Ollie Watkins goal at Old Trafford. They start their campaign in the Premier League one week after their participation in the Europa League until the semi-final stage.
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Central midfielder Van de Beek, who joined United on a five-year contract from Ajax earlier this month, excelled in defeat.
“Donny was perhaps the biggest advantage in the outfield,” Solskjaer said. “He is a seeker of spaces and creates time for himself with his timing and movement. I am very happy with his performance.”
The United manager was also impressed with goalkeeper Henderson, who recently signed a new contract with the club after spending last season on loan at Sheffield United, and young defender Teden Mengi.
“I thought Deano showed his authority there and played like a real Manchester United goalkeeper,” Solskjaer said. “And especially in the second half, you saw Teden when he came in, how exciting a prospect he is.”
Several other young players participated for United, including Ethan Galbraith, James Garner and Anthony Elanga, and Solskjaer was happy with their participation.
“They will learn from it, of course,” he said. “Young Ethan Galbraith has been with us in the summer, in the Europa League, he has been training with us and then he has minutes today and it looks like he has less time. [on the ball].
“I talked to him after the game and he knows he gets caught with the ball a couple of times, but that’s the learning he needs. That will make the next time he’s on the court ready.”
