Man Utd flop Donny van de Beek's nightmares continue despite Old Trafford exit

Donny van de Beek ended his disastrous four-year Manchester United career in the summer by completing a permanent transfer to Girona. But his fortunes don’t appear to have improved at the La Liga club, with local media claiming that he has encountered problems adapting to life in Spain after his Old Trafford escape.

Van de Beek made just 62 appearances for United after joining from Ajax in a £35million deal in 2020, spending two separate loan stints at Everton and Eintracht Frankfurt.

He moved to Girona for an initial fee worth just £500,000 in July with the hope he could reignite his once-promising career.

However, Sport report that the 27-year-old midfielder is struggling in the early stages of his Girona career and faces playing a bit-part role while his woes persist.

Van de Beek has played just 41 minutes across three substitute cameos in La Liga, watching the other three fixtures from the bench.

But he was a surprise inclusion in Michel’s starting line-up for last week’s 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the start of the Champions League campaign.

It’s claimed that Van de Beek has been thwarted by physical problems due to his severe lack of minutes before making the switch to Girona.

The Dutchman is said to have suffered minor muscular issues during pre-season, which derailed his adaptation, and he hasn’t yet recovered.

The report adds that Van de Beek has also struggled to adhere to Michel’s tactical instructions, which isn’t rare among new signings.

There is a belief that Girona’s style of play suits Van de Beek’s profile and, therefore, hope that he will come good.

Girona lost just one of their first 25 matches in all competitions last season, winning 20 times as they laid the foundations of a historic campaign.

But they have won just two of their first seven games this term, losing four of them, including their last three.

Girona face Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo next in La Liga before continuing their Champions League adventure against Feyenoord.

Van de Beek was joined by fellow midfielders Scott McTominay and Hannibal Mejbri out the Old Trafford exit door in the summer.

Manuel Ugarte arrived as midfield reinforcements, joining Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Toby Collyer in Erik ten Hag’s engine room.

United will play their European football in the Europa League this season, with FC Twente visiting Old Trafford in Wednesday’s curtain-raiser.