Ex-Man United star’s nightmare continues with devastating injury blow
Donny van de Beek, the former Manchester United midfielder, has encountered yet another setback after sustaining what appears to be a significant injury during Girona’s recent match against Athletic Bilbao. The Dutch international’s career has been plagued by a series of misfortunes since his high-profile move to Manchester United in 2020, a transfer that cost nearly £40 million.
Van de Beek, once considered among Europe’s most promising midfielders and a recent Ballon d’Or nominee at the time of his move, found himself sidelined at Old Trafford. His much-anticipated arrival quickly soured, as he managed only four Premier League starts in his first season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and struggled further in the subsequent campaign.
A loan spell at Everton followed, but persistent injuries prevented him from making a significant impact. The appointment of his former Ajax manager, Erik ten Hag, at Manchester United was seen by many as a possible turning point for Van de Beek’s fortunes at the club. He did enjoy more opportunities in the 2022-23 season, but a serious knee injury against Bournemouth brought his campaign to an abrupt end and spelled the conclusion of his time at United.
With playing time scarce, Van de Beek was loaned to Eintracht Frankfurt, where he again failed to impress. He eventually completed a permanent transfer to Girona in LaLiga for a fraction of the fee United had paid, joining the Spanish side for an initial £420,600. In his debut season with Girona, Van de Beek appeared to be regaining his form, making 35 appearances across all competitions. However, another injury late in the season once again halted his progress.
After undergoing surgery, Van de Beek only recently returned to action, making a brief substitute appearance against Celta Vigo. Girona’s coach, Michael Sanchez, handed him his first start in five months during the fixture at Athletic Bilbao. Unfortunately, Van de Beek was forced off after just 33 minutes, clutching the back of his ankle in clear distress and needing assistance to leave the field.
In a post-match statement, manager Sanchez revealed the gravity of the situation, saying, “it looks bad.” He continued, “We’ll see after the tests, but it could be the worst news of the match.” According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, sources indicate Van de Beek may have suffered a ‘serious injury to his Achilles’.
Girona managed to secure a 1-1 draw in the Basque Country, but the team is still looking for its first league win of the season after a challenging start. The duration of Van de Beek’s absence remains uncertain, casting further doubt over the midfielder’s future as he confronts yet another potentially lengthy spell on the sidelines.
