Donny van de Beek: How the Manchester United Outcast Could Revive His Career in Spain | OneFootball

Outcast Van de Beek: What Went Wrong at Manchester United?

The story of Donny van de Beek at Manchester United is a tale of unfulfilled potential and missed opportunities. Once a rising star at Ajax, Van de Beek found himself labelled a flop after a lacklustre spell at Old Trafford. His eventual departure to Girona for a modest sum brings an end to a disappointing chapter in his career, but it leaves many questioning how it all went wrong.

High Expectations and Disappointing Reality

When Van de Beek signed for Manchester United in the summer of 2020, the excitement was palpable. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought him in for £35 million, with an additional £5 million in add-ons. Expectations were high after his stellar performances at Ajax, where his creativity and ability to control games in midfield earned him rave reviews.

However, his time at United never truly took off. Over four years, Van de Beek managed just 62 appearances, scoring two goals and providing two assists. For a player of his calibre, these statistics reflect a frustrating period in his career. His appearances became sporadic, and despite showing flashes of brilliance, he was never able to cement a starting position.

The Girona Move: A New Chapter or Another False Dawn?

The summer of 2024 saw Van de Beek finally exit Old Trafford, with Spanish side Girona offering him a fresh start. The move was surprising, with the initial fee a mere €500,000 (£420,000), though potential add-ons could raise the final amount. This shift to La Liga was seen as a chance for the Dutch midfielder to rejuvenate his career.

Speaking to ESPN Netherlands about the transfer, Van de Beek reflected on his challenging time at Manchester United: “I think it’s clear that it didn’t work out for both sides. But that’s the past and I have nothing bad to say about the club.”

Despite his struggles, Van de Beek expressed optimism about his move to Girona, stating, “Yes, I think it’s an important moment in my career. I try to enjoy it as well, and I do it… we train hard so from there I build on.” For Van de Beek, this transfer represents a reset – a chance to move past his time in Manchester and rediscover his form in Spain.

Photo: IMAGO

Could Manchester United Have Made Better Choices?

Looking back, Manchester United’s decision to sign Van de Beek was born from a sense of urgency after missing out on other targets. In the summer of 2020, the club failed to secure Jadon Sancho, and the pursuit of Jack Grealish and James Maddison also came to nothing. As a result, they turned to Van de Beek, hoping his Ajax pedigree would translate to success in the Premier League.

But hindsight shows that Van de Beek never quite fit into United’s system, which raises questions about their recruitment strategy. Some pundits have pointed out that Van de Beek’s playing style didn’t align with the physicality and pace of the Premier League, and he was often deployed in positions that didn’t play to his strengths.

Lessons Learned from a Flop

Despite the criticism, Van de Beek maintains a positive outlook on his time at Manchester United. He acknowledges that he didn’t get the minutes he would have liked, but he insists that his time at Old Trafford wasn’t a total failure: “I learned a lot there as well with great players around and good people at the club… I only can learn from that.”

His stint at Manchester United will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the club’s more disappointing transfers in recent years. While he didn’t cost as much as some of their other big-money flops like Jadon Sancho or Antony, his stats reflect a player who failed to live up to his promise.

Now, with Girona, Van de Beek has a chance to prove he is more than just another outcast from the Premier League. His one assist in a brief appearance against Osasuna is a small but encouraging sign that he could turn things around in La Liga. If he can recapture the form that made him a star at Ajax, the narrative surrounding Van de Beek could change once again.