“I Began to Drive Myself Mad”: Ex-Manchester United Midfielder Reveals What Went Wrong Under Erik ten Hag
A former midfielder for Manchester United has shared insights into why his experience with Erik ten Hag turned out poorly.
Ten Hag – who was let go by the Red Devils in October – managed to secure two trophies during his tenure in England, clinching both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
Despite the substantial investment aimed at reviving the club’s former success, concerns have been raised regarding player recruitment and his tactical decisions. One player, who netted only two goals for the club, elaborated on why his time at Old Trafford came to a disappointing end.
Donny van de Beek discusses the unfortunate conclusion of his Manchester United career
After a loan spell at Everton, Donny van de Beek was sent on loan to the German club Frankfurt last season. However, his performance in Germany fell short, and the former Ajax midfielder outlined the reasons why his loan was destined to fail from the beginning.
“I came from so far away, needed rhythm and a series of matches, but that was simply not possible. The result was that I started to drive myself crazy. I had to show what I could do in a match, which meant I was doing way too much, and effectively lost my rhythm,” he mentioned via Voetbal Primeur.
“Moreover, my home situation was anything but pleasant. Estelle was heavily pregnant, and we agreed she would remain in England for the birth. My daughter stayed with her.
“So while she was in Manchester, I was alone in Frankfurt. My family in England, and my football career not going well. During that time, I often thought: What am I doing?
“When you play so little, you start to lose confidence. It begins to chip away at you, and that’s detrimental to a player.”
Eventually, Van de Beek returned to Manchester United before making a move to La Liga outfit Girona, where he currently plays. The Netherlands international has made 20 appearances and scored 3 goals, aiming to revive his career.
In FourFourTwo’s perspective, Van de Beek’s transfer to Manchester United was always questionable, especially considering the significant impact Bruno Fernandes has had in the number ten role since his arrival from Sporting.
The Red Devils are set to be in Premier League action on Sunday, facing Bournemouth as they strive to bounce back from their recent Carabao Cup exit.
