Manchester United have made some hideous signings over the past couple of years – including Donny van de Beek.
The Dutchman was acquired from Ajax back in August 2020, with huge expectations. The young creative midfielder was one of Europe’s hottest prospects and was even in the Ballon d’Or nominees the season before coming to Old Trafford.
Since his £35m transfer, however, things have changed for the worse. In four years, he’s played just 62 times for the Red Devils.
He also had a disastrous loan spell at Everton and is currently not having the greatest of starts to life in Germany.
Donny van de Beek hoisted off at half-time for Frankfurt
Donny van de Beek was taken off at half-time after a poor performance on loan for Frankfurt on Friday night.
He started in the 1-0 victory over Mainz but was axed at the midway point of the match, following a terrible first 45 minutes.
Donny was deployed in his favoured position of the number ten role but struggled to have any impact on the match.
The 26-year-old had some terrible stats, including touching the ball just 14 times and failing to register a shot or a key pass.
- 45 minutes played
- 0 goals
- 0 assists
- 5/8 accurate passes (63%)
- 14 touches
- 0 key passes
- 1/3 duels won (33%)
Donny van de Beek may have to be given the Anthony Martial treatment
Eintracht reportedly have the option to make the move permanent in the summer for a fee of €14 million (£12m/$15m) including add-ons. However, his start will have done him no favours.
This leaves a burning issue that United have had with a few players as of late, what happens if no one wants him?
In the case of Van de Beek, it seriously may just have to be the case that United have to let his contract expire.
It will be a similar scenario to Anthony Martial to Sevilla. After his disastrous loan, not one club would dare touch him, meaning United were simply stuck watching his contract tick down.
The Dutch international’s contract expires in the summer of 2025, so at least one more year at Old Trafford if Erik ten Hag can’t sell up this summer.
Another loan may be a viable option next season, but Ten Hag will be surely hoping for his form to turn in Germany, which then means United could sell and finally part ways, accumulating at least a little bit of his fee back in the process.
If not, it’s difficult to see how well get anything for Van de Beek in the future. What a simply disastrous singing and waste of immense potential.
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