08 January 2024 , 13:02
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Erik ten Hag has admitted players are finding it tough to cope with the pressure of featuring for Manchester United after the departure of Donny van de Beek.
Van de Beek made 62 appearances for United after arriving from Ajax in 2020, but scored just two goals in that time. The Dutchman plummeted down Ten Hag's pecking order, despite having starred for the Red Devils boss back in the Netherlands.
Having made just two appearances totalling 19 minutes this season, he was allowed to join Eintracht Frankfurt on loan until the end of the season. The move could become permanent if Frankfurt take up the £9.5million option-to-buy clause in the summer.
Given his dismal failure to get the best out of the midfielder, Ten Hag has now been questioned on how things went so wrong. The United boss gave a concerning answer to those questions, admitting that the pressure is getting to some of his stars.
''Yes, he has had many injuries and that is first of all. I have now worked two years with him and before he worked under different managers here as well. He had another loan as well," Ten Hag said.
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"From the moment I came here at Man United, he wasn't the player I had at Ajax because he was injured and so many times he was unavailable. Then he struggled for a long time with recovering from that injury. I think that is probably the main reason for why he wasn't playing.
"Then we decided on a loan in the summer and nothing came, then his opportunities were so few because also we made appointments and agreements with players and there was conflict in those positions, the competition was high.
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Van de Beek has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan after struggling at United (Shaun Brooks/Action Plus/REX/Shutterstock)''That is always on the players and what [kind of] confidence you have. Your capabilities. I can tell you one thing and that is that the Premier League is tough and at Man United it is tough to play here, because in every other team it is easier to play there because there is less pressure.
"It is so high and you have to deal with that. But if you have confidence in yourself, then I think this is the best challenge. Definitely it is the best club you want to be at and that depends from player to player, it is also about the character. The personality of the player.''
Van de Beek has now linked up with his new side, as they enjoy their winter break from the Bundesliga. He could make his debut when Frankfurt return to action against RB Leipzig on Saturday, with the midfielder excited to get started.
“I’ve enjoyed the first few days. It’s a very good team. Everyone’s given me a good welcome and I’ve had some nice chats already. I’m happy and looking forward to being here,” Van de Beek said.
“I knew about the club already, it’s a big club. The style of play was also very important for me. Of course, every player has their personal goals but I’m here to help the team and play at my best level.
"I'm firmly convinced that Frankfurt is a good and the right place for me. The past is the past, I’m here now and feeling very positive. If the coach picks me, then of course I’m ready. I’m fit, I’ve trained really hard with United, so physically I feel good.”