Reflecting on life since his Manchester United exit in the summer, Donny van de Beek isn’t looking back in anger.
In fairness, he could put a strong case forward for not being given anywhere near enough of a chance to make a name for himself under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as he was utilised sparingly in his maiden campaign at Old Trafford.
Van de Beek was granted just four Premier League starts and 15 appearances off the bench, completing only three full 90s across the 2020/2021 campaign.
The following term, he featured for 70 minutes in total across the first half of the league season. He then completed a loan move to Everton in the winter window but sustained a thigh injury and spent the majority of his temporary spell in the treatment room at Goodison Park.
There were hopes that upon Erik ten Hag’s appointment, Van de Beek would be able to turn over a new leaf under the manager whom he played his best football with at Ajax. Yet, brief, lacklustre cameos early in the Dutchman’s tenure followed by even more illness and fitness setbacks meant that he’d all but squandered his chance to play an integral role in the side, rounding off Ten Hag’s first year with just 10 appearances under his belt in all competitions.
Van de Beek endured another tricky loan spell with Frankfurt in the second half of 2023/2024, after which he completed a permanent move to La Liga outfit Girona.
Van be Beek looks back on underwhelming United tenure
When pressed on his four years with the 20-time champions, the 27-year-old insisted there were no hard feelings over how things turned out in the end.
“I try to enjoy myself again, and I do that,” he told Voetball Nieuws.
“It (Girona) is a beautiful club with good football, and I think I can help with that, and I am working hard on that. It is clear that nothing has come of it for either party (Manchester United or me). That is in the past, but not a single bad word about that club.
“Of course, I didn’t play a lot, but I did learn a lot. With good players around me and good people within the club. I will take those things with me into the future.”
