Donny van de Beek has been at Manchester United for three years, and his once-promising career has stalled.
Every start Donny van de Beek has made for Manchester United during his time there has cost the team £1.25 million.
In September 2020, Van de Beek paid £35 million to join Ajax, and since then, he has only made 28 appearances. His career was in full bloom in Amsterdam, but it has suffered greatly in Manchester, and this season, his absence from every matchday lineup hasn’t made headlines.
The fact that FC Lorient and Galatasaray were interested in loaning the player to the team during the summer transfer window highlighted how low his status had fallen.
While Turkey’s Süper Lig is not well-known for its calibre, Lorient finished midtable in Ligue 1 last season. Formerly one of Europe’s most in-demand performers, Van van Beek today finds himself linked to odd places.
In actuality, Van de Beek would have benefited from any deal made before the transfer deadline. The fact that the player is not in Erik ten Hag’s plans is very clear, and he is obviously not at the level required to regularly start for United.
When asked about Van de Beek in November, Ten Hag responded, “I’ve seen him better in the past.” But I believe he is setting himself well. But he must proceed to the next stage. A loan does not make sense to me.
“In this atmosphere and environment, it’s either he fights and proves himself, or he goes.” But there is still hope for him, in my opinion. It’s not going to be simple because the competition is fierce.”
Van van Beek has tried to fight for his position, but it hasn’t worked out. During his three-year tenure, the player has been managed by four different coaches, all of whom have come to the same conclusion.
Van van Beek is clearly a talented player, but he appears to have been assigned to the wrong club and league. He has been unable to replicate his Eredivisie performances, and he has long outstayed his welcome.
To be fair to the 26-year-old, he volunteered to speak to journalists following a pre-season friendly against Lyon at Murrayfield in July, and he openly stated that he may depart in quest of regular game time, which he felt was the best choice for him.
“For the time being, it’s difficult to predict my future. “I’ve returned from injury and am now fit, so I play my first minutes after training for a few weeks, and I try to push as hard as I can,” Van de Beek stated.
“Every day [something] can happen, so it’s difficult to predict my future.” You never know with football, especially with me, so let’s see what happens.”
When asked if the door at Old Trafford was still open for him, Van de Beek replied, “Yeah, but it’s also possible that I move, so everything is open.” It’s difficult to predict my future at this point.
“I’m trying to get as fit as possible and keep going.”
Although Van de Beek desired a fresh start this summer, the transfer window has closed and he remains at the club. The transfer window for the Saudi Pro League is still open, but that tier would undoubtedly be beneath him.
Van van Beek needs to get his career back on track by joining a reputable European team, yet the lack of interest he received this summer implies that he may have to settle for a lower salary than he would desire.
The Dutchman has yet to be named to a first-team squad this season, which is a tragedy given how far his career has fallen. He’ll now have to wait until January for a chance to relocate, and for the sake of his future, he should seek a permanent exit.
Van van Beek’s greatest years are still ahead of him, and he’ll be hoping to revitalize his career after recovering from injury. The style of European football is regarded to suit him more, and he can leave his stint in England behind him.
United fans, naturally, gave up faith in Van de Beek long ago.
The athlete can only hope to go in January.
