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Donny van de Beek’s rotten luck at Manchester United looks set to continue as the midfielder has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. The Dutchman was substituted off in tears during the 3-0 win over Bournemouth earlier this month and his worst fears have seemingly been realised.
Van de Beek has struggled for game time and form since moving to Old Trafford in 2020 but was hopeful of turning his fortunes around under Erik Ten Hag. The pair worked together at Ajax and Ten Hag looked like he was willing to give the midfielder a chance to prove himself.
Speaking before the Manchester derby on Saturday, Ten Hag confirmed that van de Beek is set to be out until at least the summer. He said:
“In the long term it is looking really good, he will be back for the start of pre-season. The rest of the season, though, he is out. I think everyone’s thoughts are with him, it is terrible when you are in a season and you get a bad tackle, a bad injury.
It is always really disappointing and thoughts, feelings are with the player. You express that, our group did that really well, and we are now happy his knee in the long term is good. In the same moment, mixed feelings and disappointment that he is out for this season.
The players are feeling we are building something good and everyone wants to be part of it.”
Further injury concerns for Ten Hag
With van de Beek ruled out for the season, Ten Hag will be hoping that injuries don’t begin to pile up ahead of the second half of the season. With United still competing on four fronts, it is possible that they will be playing three times a week until May so a fresh and healthy squad is paramount.
Unfortunately for Ten Hag, there are already other injury problems that he’s dealing with. Diogo Dalot went off in the win over Charlton Athletic as a precaution but his manager has confirmed now that the injury is worse than first thought.
On top of that, Anthony Martial is once again nursing an injury that could also keep him out of the Manchester derby on Saturday. The Frenchman has been plagued by injuries all season and as the only natural striker in the United squad, his fitness is undoubtedly a major concern.
In his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag commented on the pair’s status:
“Diogo Dalot is not available and Anthony Martial trained this morning, so we have to wait and see how he recovered from his training and that will be decided tomorrow. It is a small thing in his leg so it will be better tomorrow or he will be available for Wednesday.”
Impending reinforcements
Given Martial’s recent injury record, it seems impossible that will be able to play three times a week for five months so getting a striker through the door has been the number one priority for Ten Hag, especially after Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit.
The Wout Weghorst deal is all but completed but he won’t be registered in time to face Manchester City on Saturday. Instead, it is expected that he will be in the match-day squad to take on Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
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