During his tenure at Frankfurt, Van de Beek’s role has been predominantly on the sidelines, with limited game time and even exclusion from the Europa Conference League squad, indicating an uncertain future with the German club.
According to reports from talkSPORT, Van de Beek is on the verge of returning to Manchester United at the season’s end, as Frankfurt has shown no inclination to activate the buy option in the loan agreement.
Originally signed by former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from Ajax in 2020 for a hefty fee of £40 million, Van de Beek’s time at Old Trafford has been marred by struggles, mainly due to injuries and a dip in form.
Despite the high expectations surrounding his arrival, Van de Beek failed to make a significant impact, managing just 62 appearances across all competitions and scoring only twice.
His loan spell at Everton during the 2021/2022 season didn’t yield the desired improvement, with just one goal in seven appearances for the Toffees.
In January, United manager Erik ten Hag shed light on Van de Beek’s challenges, citing recurring injuries as a major hindrance.
“He has had many injuries, first of all,” explained Ten Hag. “From the first moment I came in here at Manchester United, he wasn’t the player he was at Ajax because he was injured. So many times he was not available, and then he struggled for a long time to recover from that injury.”
Ten Hag also highlighted the intense competition for midfield spots at United, further limiting Van de Beek’s chances on the field.
“We decided for a loan in the summer but it didn’t materialize, and then his opportunities are few because also we make appointments and we make agreements with players and contract players in that position. The competition was high,” elaborated Ten Hag.
In essence, Van de Beek’s time at Frankfurt has been characterized by benchwarming and exclusion, leading to speculation about his return to Manchester United. Despite the initial hype surrounding his signing, injuries and tough competition have hindered his progress, raising doubts about his future at the club.
