It was a disappointing start to the new 2020/21 season for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, but there was one bright spot in the second half, as van de Beek came off the bench and delivered a positive cameo.
After United went 2-0 down to a controversial penalty, converted by Wilfried Zaha, van de Beek struck a composed finish to half the deficit and offer his team some hope.
It was to prove in vain, but van de Beek did manage to join a roster of Reds, past and present, to have netted on his first appearance in the English top flight since 1992.