Manchester United fans still look back on the summer of 2020 with puzzlement amid a truly woeful transfer window.
This past summer demonstrated Manchester United’s pulling power, combined with a well-orchestrated transfer strategy from Ineos.
Five players signed for the club, with all five giving up Champions League football to sign with the Red Devils.
It’s a far cry from the shambolic summer of 2020, when United did have Champions League football to offer, and prior to a deadline day panic spree, the only signing made was Donny van de Beek.
Donny van de Beek on Girona spell
Donny van de Beek’s poor spell at Manchester United finally came to a close this past summer when the club signed off a quick sale to Girona.
Girona paid an initial £500,000 for Van de Beek, which could substantially increase towards £10 million with add-ons.
Van de Beek is yet to start a game for Girona, four games into the La Liga season, and he has just 10 minutes of action.
But there is reason to be positive for the perennial substitute, who could not hold down a starting place on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt either last season.
In in brief solitary appearance for Girona so far, Van de Beek managed to contribute an assist, a sign his luck may finally be turning.
Van de Beek is fully aware he is at a critical moment in his career, and he needs to seize this opportunity.
He told ESPN: “Confidence is the most important thing in football. That is something you cannot buy. I am now in the right place, at a nice club with good people.
“From here I have to start building again. It is an important moment in my career.
Van de Beek scored on his United debut, so he will be well aware that a positive start at Girona does not automatically mean a brifght future ahead.
The Dutchman added that he does believe that he can show his best in Spain as the season goes on.
He added: “The most important thing is that I keep getting fitter. I have to keep growing and get more minutes in my legs. I train hard and from there the good things will come.”
Van de Beek’s United struggles
During four seasons at Manchester United, Donny van de Beek made an embarrassingly low number of six Premier League starts for the club.
The 27-year-old had high hopes when he arrived, and he bears no ill-will towards the Red Devils.
He is quoted via Voetbal Primeur speaking in quite matter-of-fact terms, and said there were some positive takeaways.
Van de Beek said: “It is clear that it did not work out for either party. Of course I did not play much, but I did learn a lot.
“With good players around me and good people within the club. I will take the good things with me into the future.”
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