Donny van de Beek saw his Manchester United nightmare come to an end last summer when he joined Girona, with his former team-mate Bruno Fernandes delivering a heartfelt parting message
Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek during a Manchester United training session
Bruno Fernandes wished Donny van de Beek the best after his Manchester United exit
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United FC)
Bruno Fernandes' hopes for former Manchester United team-mate Donny van de Beek came true as the Dutchman revealed he “finally feels like a footballer again” after quitting the Red Devils.
The midfielder joined Old Trafford in 2020 from Ajax in a £35million deal while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge. But he failed to impress at Old Trafford under the Norwegian, gradually losing his confidence and form to the point where he couldn’t even establish himself once his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag was appointed as manager.
Van de Beek played 62 matches across his dismal four-year stint at the club, which also involved unsuccessful loan moves to Everton and Eintracht Frankfurt as United looked to recover some of his transfer value.
The 28-year-old finally escaped his United nightmare by signing permanently for La Liga side Girona last summer in a deal reportedly worth £420,000, which could rise to £7.6m.
The transfer made him United's first high-profile sale of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era last summer, following the appointments of sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.
After he confirmed his move to Girona, his former United captain Fernandes delivered a touching message on social media. Fernandes’ four-word wish read: "You deserve the best," alongside a red heart emoji.
The Portuguese, who joined in January before Van de Beek’s arrival in the Premier League, will now be glad to know that his friend is back enjoying his football again in Spain. The former Netherlands international made 35 appearances for Girona this term, including seven in the Champions League, scoring three goals and assisting two in all competitions.
Van de Beek opened up about rediscovering his form in December, telling Voetbal International: "My role was played out at Manchester United, so at the beginning of this year I wanted to make minutes elsewhere.
Donny Van De Beek playing for Girona
Donny van de Beek has found his feet again at Girona
"The choice for Germany seemed nice, and don't get me wrong, Eintracht Frankfurt is really a big and beautiful club, but I really was lost around there. I was a loan player for a few months and then it is very simple: then you just have to deliver from the first game and impress. But I just couldn't.
"I got that far, needed rhythm and a series of games, only that was simply not possible. The result was that I was going to drive myself crazy. I had to show what I could do in a competition, which made me do way too much and I got away from myself."
Turning his attention to Girona, he continued: "I enjoy it again. The fun, enjoying the game. That is so important and I have missed that feeling for so long. I finally feel like a footballer again.
"I think I've made more minutes this season than added up in the past four years. That says enough. The good feeling is back, I feel confidence again and the sacred fire in me has been fueled. Finally."
Fernandes in recent weeks had appeared to be nearing his own move away from United. Following the devastating Europa League final defeat by Spurs, speculation grew that the playmaker was open to leaving the Red Devils if a big enough offer came in for him this summer.
Bruno Fernandes applauds their support during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Aston Villa FC
Bruno Fernandes has decided to turn down a move to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal were reported to have held positive talks with his agent, while Red Devils bosses were reportedly relaxed about cashing in on the skipper, who turns 31 this year.
But it has since emerged that Fernandes rejected Al-Hilal’s lucrative offer after discussing the move with his wife. Speaking about his decision, Fernandes said: “It was a very ambitious proposal. The president was a fantastic person. We never discussed the amount [initially]. With my agent? Of course.
“Then, I spoke to my wife and family, and she asked me what my personal goals were in my career. She was someone who always supported me a lot.
“It was an easy move, even at a family level. I had Joao Cancelo there, my children are used to playing with him in the national team, we have a great friendship. But I want to maintain myself at the highest level, playing in the big competitions, and I feel capable of it.”