Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek has conceded that he needs to leave Old Trafford for the sake of his career despite being immensely proud to represent the club.
The Netherlands international move to the Red Devils in the summer of 2020 off the back of scoring 41 goals and registering 34 assists in 175 appearances for Ajax.
Van de Beek has struggled to make his mark in Manchester, though, only managing two goals and two assists in 62 appearances in all competitions.
The 26-year-old missed the second half of last season with a serious knee injury, but he has been back to fitness this term.
Van de Beek was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford over the summer, with the likes of Real Sociedad and Inter Milan thought to be interested, but he ultimately remained with the Red Devils.
The Dutchman has played just twice this season, while he has not made a Premier League squad for over a month, having fallen down the pecking order at the club.
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Galatasaray are thought to be lining up a mid-season move for the midfielder, and he has admitted that he needs to seek pastures new in order to reignite his career.
"I am bouncing to play matches again. The manager is making different choices now. We have a big squad and I am not the only one knocking on the door. We'll see in January what happens," The Mirror quotes Van de Beek as saying.
"I need to start playing games very soon - if not at Man United then at another club. I think I have to be ambitious.
"I have always been a lover of the game. I am absolutely crazy about football. I earn a good living at United, but money is not my motivation. I want to enjoy my work every day.
"Last season I was sidelined for months due to my knee injury. You miss it terribly. I appreciate even more that I have a fabulous job. I am at a legendary club and I am still proud every day to wear the Manchester United shirt.
"But I am bursting with energy now that I am top fit again and I am really training like an animal. The time has come to make a different choice.
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"I had had five seasons in the first team of Ajax, won trophies, played Champions League, we beat Juventus, Bayern, Real Madrid - and then Manchester United came along. You just don't say 'no' to Man United then, nobody would.
"Despite the huge size of the club and the volatile period United is going through, for me it remains a very warm club. A family club too. Yes, really. There are so many nice and kind people working here, you build a bond with them as a player.
"Those people have been there all their lives, from the kit man to the lady behind the counter I see every morning. There is so much passion for their club, you saw that again around the death of our legend Bobby Charlton.
"I'm the first to take a critical look at myself. People often talk about this being a mega-club. That is true, but even then it is difficult to see from the outside how big the club really is. It is such an unprecedented football stronghold.
"I had hoped for more games when I was playing well, so you get into a flow. But you have to deal with more factors. Everyone wants to make United successful again, but they are not succeeding - and it's hard to put your finger on it."
Van de Beek's only Premier League football this season came as a late substitute in Man United's 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace at the end of September.
Matt Law
