Manchester United nightmare finally over: Van de Beek bows out

Footballers often say a new transfer move is a ‘dream move’ but for former Ajax player, Donny van de Beek, well his journey to Old Trafford was very much a nightmare when all is said and heard.

The Manchester United midfielder earlier today has bid farewell to supporters as he prepares to exit Old Trafford, closing a challenging chapter in his career.

The 27-year-old Dutchman, who arrived at United from Ajax in the summer of 2020 for a substantial £35 million plus £5 million in add-ons, struggled to make a significant impact during his tenure in Manchester.

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Despite high expectations, van de Beek managed only 34 Premier League appearances over three seasons, a stark contrast to his standout performances for Ajax, particularly during their remarkable Champions League run in 2019.

Van de Beek’s time at United was marred by limited first-team opportunities, prompting a loan move to Everton for the latter part of the 2021/22 season. In January, he was loaned to German side Eintracht Frankfurt, but he started just four games for them, with the club opting not to pursue a permanent transfer for £9.5 million.

Now, van de Beek is set to join La Liga side Girona in a deal worth an initial €500,000 [£423,000] plus potential add-ons up to €15 million [£12.6m], as reported by Fabrizio Romano. The midfielder will sign a four-year contract with Girona, who finished third in La Liga last season, just behind second-place Barcelona.

As transfer talks intensified on Wednesday, van de Beek took to Instagram to confirm his departure from Manchester United, expressing his gratitude to the fans and the club.

“Dear Manchester United family. Today is a memorable day as my adventure at the club comes to an end,” he wrote.

“I want to thank you all for your support throughout the years. From the moment we arrived at Manchester United, we felt extremely welcome and we are grateful for that. Thank you to everyone at the club for making us feel at home. A special thanks to all the fans that made these years unforgettable.”

“Besides the football, the birth of our two children here ensures that Manchester will always have a special place in our hearts. Good luck to everybody, we’ll meet again.”

The heartfelt message was met with an outpouring of support from fans and players alike, including United teammate Bruno Fernandes, who commented, “You deserve the best.”

One fan encapsulated the general sentiment: “It didn’t turn out how we wanted, but we’ll always love you,” while another added, “Very unfortunate it didn’t work out, Donny. Good luck in your next step.”