Donny van de Beek on Manchester United can't find the formula – “It's strange, it's not the pressure”
Girona took advantage of Manchester United's desire to move Donny van de Beek on signing the Dutch midfielder for just €500,000 this summer, although the deal could rise to €10-15 million depending on the variables. The Dutch gradually adapts to life in Northern Catalonia.
Van de Beek explained that joining a smaller club like Girona was a very different experience to playing for a giant like Ajax or. Manchester United.
“Here, everyone is really close, everyone knows each other, this is very different from what I have seen in the past. It is nice to see how everyone tries to help and make you feel as if you are at home . They have the ambition to improve. I think that the football part is still right, but this was also a very important moment in my career. last few years,” he said The Athletic.
He was also positive about how things were going at Girona, after four torrid years at Old Trafford, with a loan spell at Everton.
“It is difficult and, as I said, it was tough mentally. Now I feel that I am fresher in my head and that I can start to feel good. You play more games, and you realize that you have progressed physically, and when you are surrounded of nice and positive people everything becomes better. People in Girona are very enthusiastic, they want to do and play well with an idea. It's nice to be a part of it.”
When it came to defining why United were struggling, not just him, van de Beek was more or less at a loss for words.
“I think it's difficult. I was there, so I know it's not easy for the players. They're still very good players when you see them all. It's not easy to see them in this situation. I know they can do it, but it's not easy with everyone, and for the players… I hope they can change this situation.”
It is not down to pressure.
“Not really, I think the pressure is everywhere. It's not just united. In every big club, when I played in Ajax there was also pressure. It's not a problem for the players, but yes… I can't I don't know. Like I said, they can do it.”
Pushed for more on this, van de Beek had nothing more to give.
“I don't know… I think it's difficult. Should we move on to the next subject?”
Van de Beek has played 7 times for Girona so far this season, making three starts, all of which came in a row before the international break. Two of those were in the Champions League, where he came with his first goal for Girona in a 3-2 defeat at Feyenoord. The 27-year-old has strong competition in midfield, but will hope to make his role behind the striker.
