Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek, who is currently on loan at Everton, has reacted after it was confirmed that Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is to become the Red Devils' next manager.
The 52-year-old Dutchman was announced as the club’s fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. He will take over the reins from Ralf Rangnick at the end of the current campaign, when the German is expected to take up a consultancy role at the club.
Van de Beek has shown two indications that he is pleased to be reunited with Ten Hag, initially liking an Instagram post from Ajax confirming the news, before giving a thumbs up when asked if he was happy about the decision.
Ten Hag’s imminent move to Old Trafford was announced by both parties ahead of what will be a crucial end to the campaign for both sides. “It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead,” Ten Hag said in a statement to United and Ajax.
“I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve. It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United.”
Ajax are still looking to win a third Eredivisie title in three years. Heading into the final five matches of the Dutch season, they currently lead fierce rivals PSV Eindhoven by four points at the top of the table.
Do you think Donny van de Beek can force his way back into Manchester United contention under Erik ten Hag? Let us know in the comments
However, the Amsterdam giants were denied the opportunity of a third consecutive League and Cup double, as PSV beat them 2-1 in the KNVB Cup Final last week.
Nevertheless, Ten Hag remains in pole position to secure the club’s 36th Eredivisie title. And if anybody knows how focused and determined Ten Hag will be to secure the Dutch title it is Van de Beek.
Van de Beek’s excelled under Ten Hag as they won the double in the 2018-19 campaign, alongside the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt, as the Dutch giants surged to the top of the Eredivisie, before securing the KNVB Cup.
They were also seconds away from reaching the Champions League Final only to be denied by a finishing masterclass from Tottenham winger Lucas Moura. Ten Hag initially deployed Van de Beek as a No.10, before eventually dropping him to a more orthodox defensive midfielder.
However, Van de Beek’s versatility was not able to help him garner a place on the red side of Manchester. The Dutchman was shipped out on loan to Everton on January transfer deadline day after failing to record a single Premier League start under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Rangnick.
And his lack of chances at the Red Devils even prompted Ten Hag to describe United’s treatment of the midfield ace as a ‘mortal sin’. Whether he will be able to break into Ten Hag’s plans or not remains to be seen.
