Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek will miss rest of the season with injury

Manchester United have confirmed that Donny van de Beek will be out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in the win over Bournemouth at Old Trafford earlier this month.

Van de Beek limped off just before halftime in tears after a challenge from Marcos Senesi, who slipped going to tackle.

It took United 10 days to discover the full extent of Van de Beek’s injury and it is understood that a cruciate ligament has not been damaged.

But manager Erik ten Hag revealed that his Dutch compatriot will be out for six months before returning to action for pre-season.

“The rest of the season he will be out,” Ten Hag said. ‘In the long term it looks very good, he will return for the start of the pre-season.

‘I think everyone’s thoughts are with him. It’s terrible when you’re in a season and you get seriously injured. It’s always really disappointing and our thoughts and feelings are with the player.

‘You express that. Our group did very well and now we are happy that his knee is doing well in the long term. At the same moments, mixed feelings and disappointment at his loss this season.

The players feel like we’re building something good and we want to be a part of it and everyone wants to be a part of it. He’s out with that injury, so there are two sides, but the good ones are the long term he’s out.

The news compounds a miserable time at United for Van de Beek, 25, who has struggled to gain playing time since moving from Ajax for £35m in 2020, spending the second half of last season on loan. at Everton.