Donny van de Beek: Manchester United midfielder ruled out of action for the rest of the season with a knee injury

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

The Dutchman suffered a knee injury during United’s Premier League match against Bournemouth on 3 January.

Starting his first match since November, Van de Beek was forced off just before half time following a strong challenge from Marcos Senesi.

Speaking about the situation, manager Erik ten Hag said, “On the long term it is looking really good, he will be back for the start of pre-season. The rest of the season he is out.”

“I think everyone’s thoughts are with him, it is terrible when you are in a season and you get a bad tackle, bad injury, it is always really disappointing and thoughts, feelings are with the player, you express that, our group did that really well and we are now happy his knee in the long term is good.”

Van de Beek has made ten appearances this season for United, and with the club seemingly on an upward trajectory, Ten Hag admitted it is a cruel blow, saying, “The players are feeling we are building something good and we want to be part of it and everyone wants to be part of it.”

They are on an eight game winning run heading into their huge derby against rivals Manchester City this weekend.

Whereas United enjoyed progress into the League Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 win against Charlton in midweek, City suffered a shock exit from the competition at the hands of Southampton.

Pep Guardiola’s side are second in the Premier League table, but are five points behind leaders Arsenal having won just two of their last four league matches.

Despite being the form team in Manchester, Ten Hag said, “I don’t look and of course we notice that they had a setback and of course I have seen the past weeks many games of them but we have to look at ourselves and play our best game, it is all about us.”

“The opponent plays an important role in football but you have to play your best game, that is what I demand of my players, play your best game with full belief, not naïve, and act like a winner.”

City were 6-3 winners when the teams met in October, but Ten Hag insists he is not solely interested in revenge for that game, saying, “Last time we didn’t do well and we have to do it better.”

“It is not about that game anymore. It is the past, it is about the future.”