Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed Donny van de Beek to make the grade at Old Trafford despite a slow start to his Red Devils career.

The Netherlands international, who joined United from Ajax over the summer, has largely struggled to make his mark this term, contributing just one goal and one assist in 19 appearances in all competitions.

The 23-year-old has not featured in the Premier League since December 20, having been an unused substitute against Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa.

Solskjaer, though, has insisted that the Dutchman will "grow more and more" as he settles at the club.

"Donny has played well when he's had the chance. I think we are too quick sometimes to jump on, 'oh he's not playing, it's a failure'. But with Victor [Lindelof] and Fred as examples, it takes a little bit of time and now they are massively important players in our squad, in our team, which will be the same with Donny." the Daily Mail quotes Solskjaer as saying.

'He has come in and he is in a midfield group there with quality, challenging with Bruno (Fernandes), Juan (Mata) and Jesse (Lingard). I have loads of No 10s, loads of central midfielders with Paul (Pogba), Nemanja (Vidic), Scott (McTominay) and Fred, and Donny has done well when he has come in.

"He is always ready, he always works hard in training, he's positive and he will make differences in many games for us this season. He will grow more and more for next year."

Van de Beek scored 41 goals and registered 34 assists in 175 games for Ajax before moving to United.