Confirmed: Man Utd super flop to leave in January

Carlo Garganese

• 3 Dec 2023 13:42 GMT
• 3 min read

Man Utd super flop Donny van de Beek will leave the club in January.

Van de Beek’s future has been confirmed this weekend by multiple media outlets and journalists, including Fabrizio Romano.

Meanwhile, Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag has also confirmed that Van de Beek will move on next month.

What did Ten Hag say?

"I think Donny has to play," Ten Hag said. "In games he was in the squad, so he had the opportunity.

"It was a slow start to the season because he was still recovering from physical setbacks. But he is back now and he is doing really well in training, so if you can’t give him perspective then I can see he has to play for his career and for everything."

Van de Beek was transfer listed during the last summer transfer window but failed to secure a move away, despite strong interest from Real Sociedad.

But the attacking midfielder will now certainly leave in the January transfer window having been left surplus to requirements.

Van de Beek was a big-money signing in the summer of 2020 as Man United splashed out up to €45 million to buy him from Ajax.

However, the midfielder has proved to be a massive flop – scoring just two goals and making two assists in all competitions over the last three years.

He made just two Premier League starts last season – and seven appearances in all – and was on the pitch for only 164 minutes in total. He had no goal contributions.

This season, Van de Beek has played just two minutes of football in the Premier League.

Van de Beek admitted last week that he wants to move in January, also.

“I am bouncing to play matches again. The manager is making different choices now. We have a big squad and I am not the only one knocking on the door. We'll see in January what happens,” Van de Beek said.

"I need to start playing games very soon - if not at Man United then at another club. I think I have to be ambitious. I have always been a lover of the game. I am absolutely crazy about football. I earn a good living at United, but money is not my motivation. I want to enjoy my work every day."

Van de Beek spent six months on loan at Everton in 2022 where he also disappointed.

At Ajax, Van de Beek emerged as one of the most promising young players in Europe as he played a pivotal role in the club reaching the semi-finals of the 2018-19 Champions League.

While at Ajax, he scored 41 goals in 175 appearances.