Manchester United fans know from experience that a good start can be deceiving.
Donny van de Beek needed only 13 minutes to open his Red Devils account, replacing Paul Pogba and almost immediately opening his account under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
It was the bright spot of an otherwise dark opening day, with Manchester United stunned by a Wilfried Zaha-inspired Crystal Palace side at Old Trafford.
Talk about a false dawn. That was one of only two Premier League goals Van de Beek scored in United colours; his first coming on his top-flight debut and his last coming in Solskjaer’s final outing during that infamous hammering away to Watford over a year later.
So whether Van de Beek’s latest lightning start can be maintained – he made quite the first impression in a pre-season victory over Napoli – remains to be seen.
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Manchester United sell Donny van de Beek to Girona
The Dutchman joined Girona in July.
And the goal which gave the La Liga outfit the lead in their 2-0 win over the 2023 Serie A champions was reminiscent of Van de Beek at his Ajax best; winning the ball high up the pitch, stealing possession, waltzing through and coolly slotting home.
Girona certainly have something of a track record when it comes to signing footballers who have fallen on hard times and bringing around happier days.
They did the same with former Manchester United defender Daley Blind after his difficult spell at Bayern Munich; the veteran stopper playing like ‘prime Maldini’ as the Catalan outfit sauntered into the Champions League for the very first time.
To the surprise of nobody, Van de Beek was quick to consult compatriot Blind when Girona made their interest known.
And after turning down a host of offers last summer – allegedly from clubs in Italy and France, amongst others – the chance to start anew at the Estadi Montilivi was one Van de Beek was keen to seize.
Daley Blind talks up La Liga switch
“It will be difficult, but I will try to learn to speak Catalan,” Van de Beek told Girona’s official YouTube channel at his official unveiling, ready to grasp such an opportunity with both hands. “It is important to communicate with colleagues and workers.
“Blind told me about the club. Last season, I watched the team’s matches and I like the style of play. Beyond playing in the Champions League, coming to Girona is a step forward in my career. The Champions League is not my main reason for coming here. I would have come anyway.
“I spoke a lot with Daley Blind. He spoke very well to me about the club, the city and the football idea.”
Girona are one of a number of newcomers to Europe’s elite club competition.
Aston Villa finished fourth in England last term while Bologna will also compete, albeit their hopes of a run to the knockout stages will not have been aided by the ‘hard blow’ that was loss of Joshua Zirkzee to Man United.
Girona’s hotly-admired head coach – the free-wheeling Michel – was also linked with Man United before it was confirmed that Erik ten Hag would be extending his stay.
Per The Telegraph, Ineos are admires of Michel’s work.
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