Donny van de Beek has admitted he has something to prove at Everton having endured a frustrating 18 months at Manchester United.
The midfielder joined the Toffees on deadline day of the January transfer window, making the move on loan to Goodison Park until the end of the season as he looks to finally make his mark on the Premier League. Since arriving at United in 2020, the Netherlands international has been struggled for game-time but has a new lease of life on Merseyside now.
Van de Beek rarely got a look-in under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and his predicament didn’t improve upon the arrival of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager. Having come close to making a move out loan last summer, the 24-year-old finally got the chance to head out to Everton earlier this year.
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And now Van de Beek admits he has a point to prove, particularly with a new manager set to arrive at United during the summer. But he insists he doesn’t just have something to prove to himself.
When asked if he has a point to make, he told Everton’s programme: "Yes, but it is also for everyone around me. If I play well, I do it for them, for my girlfriend and for my family and friends. I want to give joy to those people. And to the fans. Then I want to do it for myself.
"Of course, sometimes I am disappointed and frustrated. But I always try to stay positive and believe there will be a day it will change. I can only change it with hard work, I want to show that some people are wrong and I still have the quality to play — I always aim to do this."
Having earned his move to United after catching the eye in Ajax’s hugely impressive side under Erik ten Hag, there’s no doubt over Van de Beek’s qualities. The midfielder will now be hoping to draw upon the motivation that drove him back in the Netherlands.
"For my motivation every day, I remember where I started," he said. "I started in the youth teams, with nothing. I was down at the bottom, now I am there [raises hand].
"There are moments it can be a little bit like this [lowers hand], then it is up to you to bring it back up — to go again. I always think about this — and always believe there is another way to go up again.
"I believe in my qualities and know what I can do. I have all the time to do it again and it is up to me to show it."
He added: "Dedication is always rewarded, I firmly believe that. In the Ajax academy, they have speciality coaches, covering different elements of the game. They will identify your weaknesses, then try to help.
"If you have a poor left foot, for example, you practice with someone three times a week. They're not watching whether you're winning or losing, so much.
"Of course, they want you to win, but the main thought is, what we can do to bring this player to the first team.
"When I was 15 or 16, I started to grow up and improve a lot. I worked on my physicality and my sprinting and my explosiveness. I became stronger and was better on the ball - and then I began to stand out."
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