Donny van de Beek has opened up on his challenging season at Manchester United as he looks for a chance to impress Erik ten Hag.
There was hope that the Dutch international might be able to revive his career at Old Trafford after the arrival of Ten Hag as manager. The pair spent time together at Ajax, with Van de Beek scoring for the Amsterdam side in their Champions League semi-final against Tottenham in 2019.
Injuries have got in the way so far, with the 25-year-old missing two months of the season after featuring in the first three league games. After returning against Sheriff, though, he is looking to feature more in the lead-up to the World Cup.
“To be injured is the most difficult thing for a player," Van de Beek told club media. "You want to be on the pitch, around the guys in the stadium, feel the grass and, yeah, it’s a hard time if you are injured.
"I’m happy to be back and have to stay fit for a longer time and just try to help the team," he continued. “I feel great, I feel good and what I’m saying is I just need to keep going and, if chances come, I have to take them.
"Yes [it's been hard], especially for some of the other guys who have played so many games. "I was out for a while so, for me, it's a little bit different."
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Van de Beek joined Man Utd in 2020, but failed to hold down a regular spot in the team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He moved on loan to Everton in January 2022, not long after Ralf Rangnick took over as interim boss at Old Trafford, but injuries limited his involvement at Goodison Park.
Ten Hag has strengthened in midfield, with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen both arriving over the summer. Van de Beek was limited to appearances from the bench against Brighton, Brentford and Liverpool, but has travelled to Spain with the first team squad for their Europa League group stage game against Real Sociedad.
A victory by two goals or more at Anoeta will see Ten Hag's team go through to the last 16 as group winners. Anything less and they will face a play-off round against one of the eight teams dropping down from the Champions League.
After the European game, Van de Beek could have three further chances to show Ten Hag what he can do before the World Cup. United have away Premier League matches to come against Aston Villa and Fulham, as well as a Carabao Cup clash with Villa at Old Trafford.
