What next for Van de Beek after season-ending injury?

Karan Tejwani

• 16 Jan 2023 02:30 CST
• 4 min read

Donny van de Beek suffered a season-ending injury in his last match against Everton, adding further woes to his troubled time at Manchester United.

The Dutchman has had a difficult spell at Old Trafford since moving there in 2020, with his struggles in breaking into the first team keeping him away from the action for most of it.

Last season, he spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Everton and wasn’t able to inspire much confidence, and his latest injury has further dampened his time at the club.

READ: Donny van de Beek has sealed his Man Utd fate

It could well be the case that he has played his last game for the club and a move away would make sense for the former Ajax midfielder – so, what next for him?

Where next for Van de Beek?

The safe option for Van de Beek would be to make a move back to Ajax – either on loan or on a permanent deal – and be at a place where he can reinvigorate his career.

Van de Beek was admired at Ajax and given the Dutch club’s need to strengthen in midfield, Van de Beek would be an ideal option.

READ: Man Utd to improve Garnacho's contract amid Real Madrid interest

The likes of Davy Klaassen previously struggled with Premier League moves before finding solace in Amsterdam again, and the same could happen for Van de Beek.

Another move could be to the Bundesliga, perhaps a league more suited to Van de Beek’s best qualities – his ability to find space and make the most of it.

Van de Beek has often struggled with the physicality and compactness of the Premier League, and that may be different in Germany.

Prior to his move to Manchester United, he was linked to various clubs in Germany, including Borussia Dortmund, and should they come back for him, it could tempt the Dutchman.

In recent months, Van de Beek has also been linked with a move to Italy, with Manchester United keen to ship him off to Inter in exchange for Denzel Dumfries.

Although that seems difficult at the moment given Inter’s own financial struggles, it may still be an option for him and the club if they are looking to let Van de Beek go.

\Where he ends up remains to be seen but what’s clear is that Van de Beek has to leave Manchester United to restart his career and show the talents that made him such a wanted player.