Full Reason Why Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag drops brutally honest transfer verdict after failed reunion

When talking about Donny van de Beek’s unsuccessful Manchester United career, Erik ten Hag was brutally honest.

After a challenging beginning to life in England, there was hope following Erik ten Hag’s appointment as Manchester United manager that he could finally spark Donny van de Beek’s Old Trafford career. The midfielder’s loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt this month, though, has all but dashed expectations that he will succeed in the M16.

In 2020, Van van Beek was acquired by United for £35 million from Ten Hag’s Ajax, supposedly outbidding both Real Madrid and Barcelona for his services.

When he arrived four years ago, the 26-year-old was regarded as one of Europe’s most gifted young midfield players.

He received a 2019 Ballon d’Or nomination after assisting Ten Hag in leading Ajax to the Eredivisie championship and playing a key role in the Dutch powerhouses’ incredible run to the Champions League semifinals.

However, frustrating injury problems and Bruno Fernandes’ skill prevented Van de Beek from securing a regular place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.

There was some hope that Ten Hag could reach his full potential at the club when he was appointed in 2022.

Van de Beek’s difficulties persisted, though, and should Frankfurt exercise the £12 million option to purchase him out of his loan agreement, his hopes of succeeding at United will be dashed.

Donny van de Beek has left Man Utd on a second loan. (Image: Getty)

When asked about Van de Beek’s departure in January, Ten Hag acknowledged the harsh reality of the circumstances. He never got back together with the player he traded for at Ajax in 2020.

“First and foremost, he [Van de Beek] has had numerous injuries,” Ten Hag said, approving the Dutch player’s exit.

“I’ve worked with him for two years [at United], but he was here under other managers before that. He had previously had a loan.

In actuality, he wasn’t the player he was at Ajax from the first minute I arrived here at Manchester United because of an injury.

He was unavailable for a considerable amount of time, and it took him a long time to heal from that injury. That was most likely the primary reason he wasn’t playing.”

In the first week of the winter transfer window, Ten Hag cut down his roster. Sergio Reguilon’s loan agreement’s break clause was also activated, sending him back to Tottenham Hotspur.

Jadon Sancho, a 23-year-old winger, is also expected to leave; Borussia Dortmund is in advanced talks to bring him back to the Westfalenstadion.

Anthony Martial may follow the other two players out the door if United receives a good offer amid interest from Saudi Arabia and Turkey.