Donny van de Beek 'trying to enjoy himself again' after Man Utd troubles

Donny van de Beek says he's trying to enjoy playing football once again after ending a difficult four-year spell at Manchester United this summer.

The 27-year-old moved to Old Trafford in 2020 in a package deal worth £40m after a fine spell at Dutch giants Ajax propelled him into the limelight.

But after struggling with injury and form, Van de Beek was loaned out to Everton and Eintracht Frankfurt, playing just 35 times for United in the Premier League across four seasons.

Not even Erik ten Hag's arrival as United manager could turn things around, even though Van de Beek's breakthrough at Ajax came under Ten Hag's watch.

After months of speculation, Van de Beek finally sealed a cut-price exit from United this summer, joining surprise Champions League qualifiers Girona in a deal worth just €500,000 initially.

Speaking to ESPN Netherlands, the central midfielder admits he's simply trying to enjoy football again, yet he doesn't have a bad word to say about his time in England.

“I try to enjoy myself again and I do that. It (Girona) is a beautiful club with good football, and I think I can help with that and I am working hard on that," Van de Beek said.

"It is clear that nothing has come of it for either party (Manchester United). That is in the past, but not a single bad word about that club. Of course I didn’t play a lot, but I did learn a lot. With good players around me and good people within the club. I will take those things with me into the future.”

Van de Beek has already made a contribution for Girona in La Liga, bagging a debut assist in the convincing 4-0 win over Osasuna.