Glazers transfer mistake Neville called out two years ago set for blunt ending

30 December 2023 , 00:01

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Gary Neville was unconvinced by Donny van de Beek's displays at Old Trafford even during the early days of his Manchester United stint (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) (Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Manchester United exile Donny van de Beek is set for a temporary reprieve from his Old Trafford nightmare - two years after Gary Neville called out the decision to sign him from Ajax.

The Dutchman failed to hit the heights first expected of him after the Red Devils won the race for his signature following a glittering showing for his boyhood club in a run to the Champions League semi-final in 2019. The attacking midfielder arrived with a burgeoning reputation as one of the continent's foremost emerging talents but never settled in England.

The 26-year-old has managed just 35 appearance in the Premier League during an underwhelming spell following his £40million move to United. A loan switch to Everton was unable to rejuvenate his fortunes and it now appears that he is heading for another temporary exit.

This time around, the 19-time Netherlands international is expected to sign an initial six-month loan deal with German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt, as per the Athletic. This switch could also earn him a permanent move, with an option for the Bundesliga side to make the deal permanent in place.

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It is understood that a fee of £9.5million (€11m) will be enough to convince the powers-that-be at Old Trafford to finally cash in on their forgotten man. The former youth sensation has appeared just once in the Premier League for United so far this term, having long been surplus to requirements under Erik ten Hag.

Any hope that the ex-Ajax coach could help him to rediscover the sterling form that first brought the midfielder to the attentions of the recruitment department at the club were not realised. In fact, he has started just eight times in the league under his compatriot since the current boss arrived at the club in 2022.

In truth, however, the warning signs that Van de Beek's time at United was not going to a prove successful endeavour had been there practically from the start of his spell. Under then manager Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer], he started just four Premier League games in his first term before failing to start any games in his second campaigns.

Donny van de Beek is closing in on an exit from Manchester United (Getty Images)

His lack of minutes set off alarm bells for Red Devils legend and Sky Sports pundit Neville, who was already sensing that things were not going to plan for the Dutchman back in 2021. Speaking two years ago, the outspoken analyst said: "Why’s Donny van de Beek not being given a chance? There’s something about that.

"He’s not been given a chance for 18 months so you’ve got to come to the conclusion that Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] didn’t sign him or he doesn’t fancy him," he asserted before issuing the midfielder with some words of advice, adding: "Neither is good for Donny van de Beek so I think he needs to go and play football somewhere."

The former England stalwart questioned the wisdom behind the signing of the Dutchman even further, admitting the purchase had left him bemused. He confessed on Sky Sports: 'It's interesting, something's happened – the [Donny] van de Beek signing's an interesting one – I still can't get my head around it.

"It's almost as if that signing was sort of done in anticipation of one of the others leaving because Van de Beek has just sat on the bench for the last few months and he cost £40million I think that Manchester United are preparing for someone leaving. Maybe [Paul] Pogba could leave, so they've already got Van de Beek in to maybe assume that role."

Tom Beattie