Why did it all go wrong for Donny van de Beek at Manchester United?

When Erik ten Hag arrived at Manchester United last year it was expected that Donny van de Beek would be revitalised at Old Trafford.

Van de Beek had previously shone under the Dutchman and was a crucial cog in Ten Hag’s young Ajax side that came within minutes of reaching the 2019 Champions League final. However, the midfielder looks set to move to Eintracht Frankfurt in January having only featured for two minutes in the Premier League this season.

Signed as a promising 23-year-old, Van de Beek turns 27 in April. His career has stunted during his time in the Premier League. Previously there were suggestions that the Dutchman’s slow start to life in Manchester was at least partly because United’s managers were unaware of how to best utilise him.

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Signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United’s No.34 made a promising start and was his side’s only goalcorer on his debut in a 1-3 home defeat to Crystal Palace. Yet the young midfielder was unable to force his way into Solskjaer's team.

He scored his second and most recent Premier League goal against Watford in November 2021 but could not build any momentum, with a defeat ending Solskjaer’s reign.

Van de Beek’s fortunes did not improve during Ralf Rangnick’s reign. He only played nine minutes of Premier League football before being shipped out on loan to Everton.

The midfielder was a mainstay in Ten Hag's Ajax side in 2018/19, scoring 17 goals in a side that dominated Dutch football, winning the league and cup double. If anyone was going to spark Van de Beek’s United career back into life it would be the man who helped him produce the form that brought