Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said he needs Donny van de Beek this season, the Dutch midfielder has revealed.

The Netherlands playmaker made just four Premier League starts following his £35 million switch from Ajax last summer.

Van de Beek's mooted late loan move to Everton was blocked by Solskjaer, and the 24-year-old says a chat with his manager convinced him to stay.

"I spoke with the manager about it (the interest from Everton) and the club. They were clear they wanted me to stay here," he told Rio Ferdinand's FIVE podcast.

"The manager was really positive about me and he said: 'I need you and I want to keep you here'.

"Of course, what I see here now in the beginning of the season is difficult, because I didn't play one minute, but he said; 'What I see every day in training, I see a different Donny now'.

"He was really positive about me and I'm feeling well. I'm in good shape so I hope that I can show the people that I improved a lot.

"He sees a big difference, that I'm a little bit stronger now. He can see that I now have one-year of experience here in England. If he sees me now [compared to] the beginning, he sees a big difference."

Despite not playing often, van de Beek insists he won't sulk on the bench.

"It's difficult if you're not really in the team, you're waiting for your chance. That's not easy, if you're not playing. Also not for the confidence," he said.

"It's normal you need a bit of time to adapt but of course you are not happy. I want to play, that is clear.

"I train really hard every day, I try to improve and just wait for your chance, that's the only thing I can do. If the moment is there, I have to be ready, it's as simple as that. Be close with the players, be part of the team. If you're not playing, try to help them and be positive. You can't sit there and be angry."