Van der Beck recently spoke to The Athletic, giving an in-depth look back at his four-year career at Manchester United and his new life since joining Girona. Below is a summary of the highlights of the interview:
New life in Girona
Van der Beck said that his new life at Girona is going very well, the club has a great atmosphere and the teammates and staff are excellent. Although the team is still under construction, it is already showing significant growth. He revealed that he was attracted to Girona's project and vision early in the transfer window and had contact with the club in January last year.
Differences with Manchester United
Van der Beck believes that Girona is very different from the clubs he has played for before. Here, everyone is close and knows each other, and this closeness makes him feel at home. He is also inspired by Girona's ambition, which he sees as a positive boost to his career.
Manchester United career setbacks
Looking back on his four years at Manchester United, Van der Beck admits that he encountered many difficulties and setbacks. His first season at United was limited in terms of playing opportunities despite joining at a high price. Things didn't get any better in the second season and he was even loaned out to Everton. The arrival of Ten Hagar had given him hope, but a knee injury made him miss out again. Van der Beck said that the physical confrontation in the Premier League really made it difficult for him, and the instability of Manchester United also put him under pressure.
Psychiatric effects and help-seeking
Not being able to play for long periods of time has had a considerable psychological impact on van der Beck. He revealed that he did feel frustrated and disappointed during his time at United. But he also thanked Manchester United for the help and support they gave him, believing that there were many people in the club to talk to and seek help. Ultimately, he had to rely on himself to overcome his difficulties.
Regrets and the future
Van der Beck said that the thing he regretted most at Manchester United was the serious injury he suffered when he got his chance, which became the turning point of his career. For the future, he hopes he can play well at Girona and contribute to the club. At the same time, he also said that he has a long career ahead of him and will continue to play hard until he can't play anymore.
Champions League goals and future prospects
Van der Beck scored his first goal in over two years in Girona's Champions League match against Feyenoord. He said it felt fantastic and gave him back his confidence and form. For the next five years, Van der Beck said he hopes to continue to play well at Girona and become the best version of himself. At the same time, he also said he will plan his career according to the changing circumstances.
