Free at last: Dutch midfielder ends 4 wasted years at Man United with €15m move to UCL club

It was meant to be a dream move, a chance for a young, talented Dutch midfielder to showcase his skills on the biggest stage. 

But for Donny van de Beek, his time at Manchester United has been nothing short of a nightmare.

After four long and frustrating years, the 27-year-old has finally been granted his wish to leave the club, with a move to Spanish side Girona confirmed. 

According to Fabrizio Romano, the transfer, initially for a fee of just €500,000, could rise to €15 million with add-ons - a far cry from the £40 million United paid to sign him from Ajax in 2020.

The writing had been on the wall for some time. Van de Beek struggled to break into the United starting XI, making just six Premier League starts in over three seasons at Old Trafford. 

His form and fitness have been major issues, with the player himself admitting that the "manager is making different choices now."

It's a sad end to a once-promising chapter. Van de Beek arrived in Manchester with high hopes, eager to showcase his silky skills and prove himself at the highest level. 

Instead, he's been left to watch on as United's midfield has been in a constant state of flux, with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, and Fred often preferred ahead of him.

He's tried to remain positive, insisting he has "no regrets" about joining United, but the reality is that his time at Old Trafford has been a cruel and wasted opportunity.

Some fans have even accused the club of "messing up" Van de Beek's career, and it's hard to argue with that assessment. 

A player of his undoubted talent deserved better than to be left languishing on the bench, his dreams of success in the Premier League slowly crumbling away.

Now, with a fresh start in Spain, Van de Beek will be hoping to reignite his career and prove the doubters wrong. 

But the scars of his Manchester United experience will undoubtedly linger, a painful reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the ruthless world of elite football.