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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Bruno Fernandes' four-word wish came true after Man Utd transfer exit confirmed
Bruno Fernandes delivered a heartfelt message to former team-mate Donny van de Beek after he escaped his Manchester United nightmare by leaving the club last summer Bruno Fernandes' wish for former Manchester United team-mate Donny van de Beek has come true, with the Dutchman saying he 'finally feels like a footballer again' after leaving the Red Devils. Van de Beek arrived at Old Trafford in 2020 from Ajax in a £35million deal when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge. But he failed to set Old Trafford alight under the Norwegian, gradually losing confidence and form to the point where he couldn't even establish himself once his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag took the reins. The midfielder made 62 appearances across his miserable four-year spell at the club, which also included unsuccessful loan moves to Everton and Eintracht Frankfurt as United sought to recover some of his transfer fee. The 28-year-old finally escaped his United nightmare by joining La Liga side Girona last summer in a deal worth a reported £420,000, which could rise to £7.6m. It made him United's first high-profile departure of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era, after the arrivals of sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox. After Van de Beek confirmed his move to Girona, his former United captain Fernandes delivered a touching message on social media. Fernandes' four-word message read: "You deserve the best," along with a red heart. The Portuguese, who joined in January before Van de Beek's arrival in the Premier League, will now be glad to know that Van de Beek is enjoying his football again in Spain. The former Netherlands international made 35 appearances for Girona this season, including seven in the Champions League, while scoring three goals and assisting two in all competitions. Van de Beek opened up about rediscovering his form in December, telling Voetbal International:"My role was played out at Manchester United, so at the beginning of this year I wanted to make minutes elsewhere. "The choice for Germany seemed nice, and don't get me wrong, Eintracht Frankfurt is really a big and beautiful club, but I really was lost around there. I was a loan player for a few months and then it is very simple: then you just have to deliver from the first game and impress. But I just couldn't. "I got that far, needed rhythm and a series of games, only that was simply not possible. The result was that I was going to drive myself crazy. I had to show what I could do in a competition, which made me do way too much and I got away from myself." Turning his attention to Girona, he added: "I enjoy it again. The fun, enjoying the game. That is so important and I have missed that feeling for so long. I finally feel like a footballer again. "I think I've made more minutes this season than added up in the past four years. That says enough. The good feeling is back, I feel confidence again and the sacred fire in me has been fueled. Finally." Fernandes had appeared to be nearing his own move away from United in recent weeks. Following the crushing Europa League final defeat by Tottenham, speculation grew that the playmaker was open to leaving United if a big offer came in for him this summer. Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal were said to have held progressive talks with his representatives, while Red Devils bosses were reportedly willing to cash in on their skipper, who turns 31 this year. But it has since emerged that Fernandes rejected Al-Hilal's lucrative offer after mulling things over with his wife. Explaining his decision, Fernandes said: 'It was a very ambitious proposal. The president was a fantastic person. We never discussed the amount [initially]. With my agent? Of course. 'Then, I spoke to my wife and family, and she asked me what my personal goals were in my career. She was someone who always supported me a lot. 'It was an easy move, even at a family level. I had Joao Cancelo there, my children are used to playing with him in the national team, we have a great friendship. But I want to maintain myself at the highest level, playing in the big competitions, and I feel capable of it.' Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Donny van de Beek points the finger over Man Utd struggles after exit
Donny van de Beek was never given a fair shot at Manchester United and has attributed his injury woes to the amount of time he spent on the bench at Old Trafford Donny van de Beek has claimed his injury struggles date back to his time warming the bench at Manchester United. The Dutchman was signed in 2020 but was unable to ever make himself a regular. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spent £35million to land the versatile attacker, but only made us of him sporadically as Van de Beek's frustration mounted. He scored on his debut but was rarely preferred to Bruno Fernandes with his minutes very much at a premium. He's since left, joining Girona in Spain, but has continued to battle an Achilles issue. The Dutchman has enjoyed far more minutes than he did at Old Trafford but clearly still has a chip on his shoulder when it comes to his underwhelming stint in Manchester. Solskjaer continued to defend his lack of use of the player, but in the years since Van de Beek's health has been a battle. He confessed that the time he spent as a sub means his body was less accustomed to the intensity of playing regularly. He told SportBible: "It's difficult to build rhythm and confidence when you're constantly being sidelined. It's hard to be at your best when you're in and out of the team, and I think when you're not playing regularly. Your body isn't used to the intensity and you become more prone to injuries. The lack of consistent minutes didn't help either." Van de Beek's goal on his debut did little to aid his cause and even when he would impress he was quickly returned to his bench role. He also admits the random cameos did nothing for his case with bit part minutes not helping him become a regular. He said: "I think I deserved more chances, especially in my first year. I didn't play all the time, but when I did, I had some good games. I was convinced I would get more opportunities. I felt good, and thought, 'Okay, my time will come' but for some reason, it didn't happen. After a year or two, it gets harder because if you don't get a longer run of games then it's difficult to prove yourself." Van de Beek would score the last goal of the Solskjaer era as he came off the bench to score what would be a consolation during a 4-1 loss at Watford. The Norwegian was forced to defend his use of the player on several occasions and claimed leaving him on the bench spoke to the quality of the squad. "I think it says a lot about our depth of quality in the squad that we don't have to use him every single game," he said. Despite that claim Van de Beek would make just four starts in his only full season under Solskjaer and things didn't change when Erik ten Hag, who coached him at Ajax, came on board before he eventually left Manchester.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Donny van de Beek appears to blame Man Utd for injuries and admits warming the bench left his confidence shot to pieces
Van de Beek sent a message to Man Utd ahead of their Europa League final VAN DE BLEAK Donny van de Beek appears to blame Man Utd for injuries and admits warming the bench left his confidence shot to pieces DONNY VAN DE BEEK has linked his ongoing injury problems with being benched during his nightmare spell at Manchester United. Van de Beek's was forced to undergo surgery on his Achilles last week after a confidence-building debut season with Girona. Advertisement 3 Donny van de Beek's career took a downward spiral when he joined Man Utd in 2020 3 The Dutchman said injuries came after being sidelined for extended periods of time The former Man Utd and Ajax midfielder rediscovered his love for the game with 35 appearances for the LaLiga side this season. It marked a significant step in his quest to rediscover a run of form that once made him one of Europe's most wanted players. In fact, Van de Beek was so keen to impress that he pushed through a disastrous pain barrier to help Girona retain their LaLiga status this term. He told SPORTbible: "I've had this Achilles issue for a while and kept playing through it, but it got too much in the end." Advertisement READ MORE ON MAN UTD FINAL CLASH Shocking moment Man Utd & Spurs fans brawl in Spain ahead of Europa final The 28-year-old has suffered another setback and will miss the final game of the season on Sunday after having surgery on his left ankle. The Dutchman has endured several different injuries since his doomed £35million move from Ajax to Old Trafford in 2020. And Van de Beek as now linked his fitness issues to his extended time spent on the bench during his four years at Man Utd. He said: "It's difficult to build rhythm and confidence when you're constantly being sidelined. Advertisement Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford "It's hard to be at your best when you're in and out of the team, and I think when you're not playing regularly. "Your body isn't used to the intensity and you become more prone to injuries. The lack of consistent minutes didn't help either." Bilbao cops to launch 'biggest security operation ever' as 70,000 Brits flood Spanish city for Europa League final From thighs, groins and hamstrings, to a huge knee injury that kept him out for 179 days, Van de Beek spent more and more time in the medical room. Advertisement And it was the same at during his loan spells at Goodison Park and Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt. After starting just four league games in his debut season under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, Van de Beek started three consecutive games for the first time under Erik ten Hag after two years in 2022. But a brutal season-ending injury against Bournemouth, wiped out that momentum. I'll be watching on Wednesday night. I still love to see United play and hope they can win it. Van de Beek Van de Beek added: "I think I deserved more chances, especially in my first year. Advertisement "I didn't play all the time, but when I did, I had some good games. I was convinced I would get more opportunities. "I felt good, and thought, 'Okay, my time will come' but for some reason, it didn't happen. "After a year or two, it gets harder because if you don't get a longer run of games then it's difficult to prove yourself." But the Dutchman still holds Man Utd close to his heart and his family have fond memories of living in Manchester. Advertisement And he'll be cheering Ruben Amorim's side from afar against Tottenham in the Europa League final - four years after being part of the United squad that fell to a penalty shoot-out defeat against Villarreal. He said: "I'll be watching on Wednesday night. I still love to see United play, and I stay in contact with a lot of people from the club. "I really hope they can win it, they deserve it. The fans have been through a lot recently. "I never had any bad experiences with the fans. We had a great relationship. They were always so good to me. Advertisement "That gave me a lot of energy, especially during difficult moments. "The fans and staff deserve so much better than what's happening now. It's tough to see." 3 MAN UTD VS TOTTENHAM - EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL LIVE Advertisement Latest betting odds, offers and predictions
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Donny van de Beek appears to blame Man Utd for injuries and admits warming the bench left his confidence shot to pieces
DONNY VAN DE BEEK has linked his ongoing injury problems with being benched during his nightmare spell at Manchester United. Advertisement 3 Donny van de Beek's career took a downward spiral when he joined Man Utd in 2020 3 The Dutchman said injuries came after being sidelined for extended periods of time The former Man Utd and It marked a significant step in his quest to rediscover a run of form that once made him one of Europe's most wanted players. In fact, Girona retain their LaLiga status this term. He told Advertisement READ MORE ON MAN UTD The 28-year-old has suffered another setback and will miss the final game of the season on Sunday after having surgery on his left ankle. The Dutchman has endured several different injuries since his doomed £35million move from Ajax to Old Trafford in 2020. And Van de Beek as now linked his fitness issues to his extended time spent on the bench during his four years at Man Utd. He said: "It's difficult to build rhythm and confidence when you're constantly being sidelined. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford "It's hard to be at your best when you're in and out of the team, and I think when you're not playing regularly. "Your body isn't used to the intensity and you become more prone to injuries. The lack of consistent minutes didn't help either." Bilbao cops to launch 'biggest security operation ever' as 70,000 Brits flood Spanish city for Europa League final From thighs, groins and hamstrings, to a huge knee injury that kept him out for 179 days , Van de Beek spent more and more time in the medical room. Advertisement And it was the same at during his loan spells at Goodison Park and Bundesliga side After starting just four league games in his debut season under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, Van de Beek started three consecutive games for the first time under Erik ten Hag after two years in 2022. But a brutal season-ending injury against Bournemouth, wiped out that momentum. I'll be watching on Wednesday night. I still love to see United play and hope they can win it. Van de Beek SPORTbible Van de Beek added: "I think I deserved more chances, especially in my first year. Advertisement "I didn't play all the time, but when I did, I had some good games. I was convinced I would get more opportunities. "I felt good, and thought, 'Okay, my time will come' but for some reason, it didn't happen. "After a year or two, it gets harder because if you don't get a longer run of games then it's difficult to prove yourself." But the Dutchman still holds Man Utd close to his heart and his family have fond memories of living in Manchester. Advertisement And he'll be cheering Ruben Amorim's side from afar four years after being part of the United squad that fell to a penalty shoot-out defeat against Villarreal. He said: "I'll be watching on Wednesday night. I still love to see United play, and I stay in contact with a lot of people from the club. "I really hope they can win it, they deserve it. The fans have been through a lot recently. "I never had any bad experiences with the fans. We had a great relationship. They were always so good to me. Advertisement "That gave me a lot of energy , especially during difficult moments. "The fans and staff deserve so much better than what's happening now. It's tough to see." 3 MAN UTD VS TOTTENHAM - EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL LIVE Advertisement Latest betting odds, offers and predictions
