It is a week since Donny van de Beek’s £39 million move from Ajax to Manchester United was confirmed.
Van de Beek was prevented from flying straight from Amsterdam to Manchester, as he was on international duty when the transfer went through.
There was then the worry hanging over United that Van de Beek might suffer an injury in Netherlands’ two Nations League matches, before even joining up with his new club.
Fortunately that was not the case, with Van de Beek playing the second of his two matches last night.
Unscathed
Van de Beek played 56 minutes of the Netherlands’ 1-0 defeat to Italy.
The midfielder had a quiet game, but almost scored when he popped up in the penalty area in the second chance to take a shot at goal.
He made two tackles and two interceptions in a disjointed performance from the Dutch.
This came after he played 16 minutes as a substitute in Holland’s win over Poland on Friday night.
Coming through the match without an injury was particularly poignant, as Italy’s Nicolo Zaniolo went off injured with a suspected ACL tear.
Next stop Manchester
Van de Beek can now fly to Manchester and he will not be required to quarantine, coming in from the Netherlands.
United fans can look forward to pictures of his arrival, and then he will head to Carrington for the very first time and meet his new manager and teammates.
The club’s first game of the season takes place on Saturday September 19 – just over a week’s time.
Van de Beek’s international games will end up being useful in terms of his match fitness, adding to friendly matches he played for Ajax in August.
The Dutchman is rested after the Eredivisie did not resume in March after lockdown. He could end up playing a prominent early role in United’s start to the season.
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