Donny van de Beek has revealed a disastrous loan spell in Germany led to him questioning his future in football.
When he arrived at Manchester United in 2020, the Dutchman was touted as one of the best young midfielders in Europe having recently starred in Ajax side that defied expectations to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.
However, during his four years at the club Van de Beek largely found himself on the periphery under a succession of managers.
A loan move to Everton in 2022 was marred by injuries and he returned to United having played just seven times in all competitions.
Upon his return to Old Trafford Van de Beek was reunited with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, but the appointment did little to raise his standing within the club and he endured another campaign of limited involvement.
Yet another loan move, this time to Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, offered the prospect of first-team football but once again it would prove unsuccessful.
Donny van de Beek detailed the effect his calamitous spell at Frankfurt had on his confidence
The midfielder managed just eight appearances during his spell with the Bundesliga club
Van de Beek had been shipped out on loan after finding himself on the periphery at Man United
In a recent interview with Voetbal Primeur Van de Beek revealed the toll the disastrous spell had on his life both inside, and outside football.
‘I came from so far away, needed rhythm and a series of matches, but that was simply not possible.’ he explained.
‘The result was that I started to drive myself crazy. I had to show what I could do in a match, which meant I did way too much and passed myself by.
‘In addition, my home situation was anything but pleasant. [My partner] was heavily pregnant, and we decided that she would stay in England for the birth. My daughter together with her.
‘She in Manchester, I in Germany. I was there on my own in Frankfurt. My family in England, things weren’t going well with football. I thought During that period sometimes really: “What am I doing?”
‘If you play so little, you also lose confidence. That starts to eat away at you, and that’s not good as a player.’
Facing another summer of speculation surrounding his future, Van de Beek finally secured a move away from Manchester in July as he looks to revitalise his career.
Now plying his trade in La Liga with Girona, the 27-year-old has become a valuable asset for Michel’s side, contributing two goals and two assists in the league.
The 27-year-old has since begun to revitalise his career in LaLiga after joining Girona
Van de Beek is a regular fixture for Girona both domestically and in the Champions League
He added that being back playing regular football has done wonders for his confidence.
‘I think I’ve played more minutes this season at Girona than in the past four years combined,’ he continued. ‘That says enough.
‘The good feeling is back, I feel confident again and the sacred fire in me has been rekindled. Finally.’
