Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has revealed that Donny van de Beek will miss the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign with a knee injury.
The 20-time English champions have been assessing the problem that the Netherlands international picked up in the first half of the Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the start of the month.
Ten Hag has now confirmed that the midfielder will miss the rest of the campaign, but he will be able to return for the Red Devils at the start of pre-season this summer.
"I think it is quite positive news," Ten Hag told reporters while speaking to the media ahead of Saturday's Manchester derby with Manchester City.
"Of course, the bad news is he is out for the rest of the season, but the good news is, in the long term, his knee will be okay and he will be ready again to play at the highest levels and will be ready for the start of pre-season."
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Van de Beek suffered the injury when Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi slipped before sliding into him, and the midfielder's knee bent into an unnatural position.
Speaking after the 3-0 victory over the Cherries, Ten Hag admitted that the injury 'did not look great'.
"No, that is too quick. We have to wait and then you can make the right diagnosis, so the medical team have to do their work. But it doesn't look great," Ten Hag told MUTV at the time.
"What has happened to Donny is bad, in the first place, for Donny but also bad news for Manchester United, if it is a bad injury."
Van de Beek has again struggled to secure a regular role for the club this season, but he had been involved in four of Man United's five Premier League games before his injury.
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The 25-year-old was left out of the Netherlands squad for the World Cup due to his struggles at club level, and his full focus will now be on returning to full fitness for the 2023-24 campaign.
Jadon Sancho is also still out, as he continues to train away from the first team, while Axel Tuanzebe remains unavailable for selection due to a long-term issue.
Diogo Dalot has been ruled out of Saturday's Premier League clash with Man City due to a hamstring injury, while Anthony Martial is a slight doubt with a leg issue.
Despite Van de Beek's injury ruling him out for the season, the Red Devils are unlikely to sign a replacement during the January window.
Matt Law
