During a fact-finding recce in Germany, the Reds football director John Murtough was told German football was years behind England.
Van de Beek, bound for Eintracht Frankfurt, was off the pace in the Premier League for United and Everton.
United are braced for a £22.5m loss on a 26-year-old they only signed in September 2020.
It would be an exaggeration to state Van de Beek was foisted onto Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but the United manager would have preferred Jack Grealish or James Maddison. Who wouldn't? Maddison eventually left Leicester for the same £40m fee United agreed with Ajax for Van de Beek.
Until injury interrupted his campaign, Maddison was the standout player in the Premier League. Van de Beek's playing time in the competition this season has amounted to two minutes.
He is not the only one United have to cut their losses on. If there is not a taker for Anthony Martial in the winter window, he will be released in the summer.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 20, 2023 من Manchester Evening News.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 20, 2023 من Manchester Evening News.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Youngster Toby open to Old Trafford January exit
UNITED midfielder Toby Collyer is open to a move to a Championship club this month if a suitable offer emerges.
Even United's 'untouchables' are not safe
SIR Jim Ratcliffe hasn't been afraid of making difficult decisions in his 11 months in charge at Old Trafford, and if a good offer arrives for Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho this month, you can be certain sentimentality won't be priced into the equation.
Young forward recalled from Latics loan move
UNITED have recalled striker Joe Hugill from Wigan Athletic.
Club chiefs ready to play hardball on new contracts
UNITED'S efforts to comply with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules could force them to sell one of their homegrown players.
Josh may not be success, but he deserves respect
REGARDLESS of your opinion of Joshua Zirkzee as a footballer and whether United should have signed him, the chances are you felt sorry for him as he faced a chorus of boos from his own supporters when he was substituted in the first half against Newcastle at Old Trafford last week.
Rash could be feeling pressure of 'being local'
FORMER United winger Lee Sharpe believes the pressures of being a local player could be one of the reasons Marcus Rashford wants to quit Old Trafford.
Frankfurt's message to Txiki: 'Show us the money
YOU know you are trying to buy a player from the Bundesliga when there are quotes from the selling club's executives in the papers every day.
RIO HAPPY WITH DESIRE IN ANFIELD CLASH
UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has praised the effort and desire the Reds showed in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool, insisting the players now have an understanding of what Ruben Amorim expects.
Numbers all add up for Omar to make switch
THERE was a moment shortly after Jack Grealish signed for City back in 2021 when he walked into the dressing room at the Etihad Stadium to see his new shirt for the first time.
Striker needed who can make big IMPACT
AT least Ruben Amorim has promised United will 'try to do something. Goals win games and the Reds do not have a goalscorer. They have won two games in nine and scored 11.
