‘Wasn't the player he was’ - Erik ten Hag admits Donny van de Beek regressed at Man Utd

Erik ten Hag has claimed Donny van de Beek ‘wasn’t the player he was at Ajax’, since he’s been at Manchester United.

The Red Devils manager turned Van de Beek into one of the most coveted midfielders in world football when the pair worked together at Ajax, yet he has failed to hit the same heights at Old Trafford, following his £40m transfer in 2020.

It was hoped when Ten Hag was appointed United boss that he could reinvigorate the player and help him rediscover his best form. However, Van de Beek made only four starts last season before picking up a season-ending injury in January and has played just 21 minutes in all competitions in the first half of the current campaign. Therefore, it was no surprise the 26-year-old departed on loan at the start of January and joined Eintracht Frankfurt.

But, speaking ahead of the FA Cup encounter against Wigan Athletic on Monday, Ten Hag admitted the last few years have taken their toll on Van de Beek. 

“He has had many injuries, first of all. I worked now with him for two years [at United] and before he was under different managers here. He had a loan before as well. 

“Actually, from the first moment I came in here at Manchester United, he wasn't the player he was at Ajax because he was injured. So many times he was not available and then he struggled for a long time to recover from that injury. That is probably the main reason why he was not playing.

“We decided for a loan in the summer but it didn't come and then his opportunities are few because we make appointments and we make agreements with players and contract players in that position. The competition was high.”

Van de Beek is not the first player who has been signed by United with huge potential but has struggled to kick on at Old Trafford, and Ten Hag was asked if he feels other transfer targets could worry their career might go in the same direction.

“That is always on those players and how much confidence you have in your capabilities but I can tell you one thing, the Premier League is tough,” the 53-year-old replied. “Man United, that is tough to play there. It's more easy to play in almost any other team than Man United because the pressure is that high. 

“You have to deal with that. But if you have confidence in yourself, this is the best challenge and this is definitely the best club you want to be at as a player. It depends on player to player, and it depends especially on the character of the player, their personality.”