DONNY VAN DE BEEK has revealed his transfer exit from Manchester United during the summer collapsed “at the last minute”.
The Dutch outcast was close to joining Spanish giants Real Sociedad but talks broke down forcing him to stay at Old Trafford this term.
Van de Beek, 26, has played just 21 minutes of action for Erik ten Hag‘s side this season.
The midfielder has made just two appearances from the bench against Crystal Palace in the Premier League and Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.
And on Sunday the ex-Ajax star was on the bench once again to spectate the Red Devils’ 3-0 victory against Everton at Goodison Park.
But after the match, the former Netherlands international opened up about his potential move to Real Sociedad in the summer.
He told Diario AS: “I was close to going to Real Sociedad, but at the last minute, the clubs could not reach an agreement.”
The Dutchman has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford since joining from Ten Hag’s former Ajax side in 2020.
He missed much of last season with a devastating knee injury.
In the summer United were keen to clear room for a new midfield acquisition with the Spanish team open to bring Van de Beek to La Liga.
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Instead he remained at Old Trafford where he continued to fall down the pecking as new recruits Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat overtook him.
And with starlet Kobbie Mainoo‘s sensational performance on the weekend Van de Beek knows his time at Man Utd is up.
He revealed his desire for a January move and said: “The time comes when a decision has to be made.
“I have to start playing games very soon, if it’s not possible at United, then I will go to another club.
“I think this is a healthy ambition. I make a good living at United, but money has never been my motivation.”
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