Donny van de Beek speaks out amid backlash over costly Man United mistake vs Young Boys

Manchester United star Donny van de Beek has, on Thursday, provided his take on the error which ultimately cost the club all three points in their Champions League meeting with BSC Young Boys.

Spoils shared at the Theatre of Dreams

The Red Devils marked their return to European action last night.

After wrapping up top spot in the Group F table courtesy of a 2-0 downing of Villarreal two weeks ago, Ralf Rangnick’s side welcomed Swiss giants Young Boys to Old Trafford, keen to finish out their Champions League endeavours for 2021 on a high.

When all was said and done, though, United were ultimately forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

A heavily rotated hosts XI did take the lead in proceedings inside the 10-minute mark, when Mason Greenwood provided a timely reminder to his new boss of his explosive abilities:

Mason Greenwood that is absolutely top drawer 🔥

Luke Shaw whips in the cross and… Wow!#UCL pic.twitter.com/NEG8LY2nCf

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 8, 2021

However, the evening’s telling goal was forthcoming just shy of the interval, as Fabian Rieder secured a share of the spoils for Young Boys with a sumptuous effort of his own from the edge of the area:

What a strike to draw Young Boys level 🚀

Fabien Rieder gets his name up in lights at Old Trafford with a brilliant curling effort from outside the box!#UCL pic.twitter.com/QlKzmqy9Wi

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 8, 2021

‘Take responsibility’

The visitors’ equaliser on Wednesday, as showcased in the footage above, came as a direct result of a timely mistake on the part of one of Manchester United’s stars.

The player in question? Donny van de Beek.

Dutchman van de Beek, handed a rare opportunity to impress from the off versus Young Boys, needlessly surrendered possession on the edge of his own area with 42 minutes on the clock, allowing the aforementioned Rieder to drive home a fine strike from 20 yards.

In turn, amid an altogether sub-par showing, it did not come as a huge surprise to see the Red Devils faithful showcase little restraint in taking firm aim at their out-of-favour midfielder across social media.

And, as alluded to above, on Thursday, van de Beek himself has provided his take on the situation.

During an interview with MUTV, as cited by the Manchester Evening News, the Dutchman was not shy in taking full responsibility for his error on the night, explaining:

‘I think first 30 minutes was okay, we made a good goal from Mason, after that we have a few chances to make it 2-0 or 3-0.’

‘We didn’t do that. I think if we’d done that it would have been much easier.’

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Donny van de Beek of Manchester United in action during a pre-season friendly match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on September 12, 2020 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

‘Then 1-1. For me, lost the ball in the middle, maybe I should kick the ball away. I didn’t do that. I take my responsibility for that.’

‘And after that I think it was a little bit difficult. I think we didn’t get enough pressure on them, with the ball as well we lost too many balls and it’s really difficult to command the game.’

Van de Beek continued:

‘But overall I think for a few guys they made their first game in the Champions League. Of course congratulations to them because I know it’s really special to play this night.’

‘So 1-1 and now focus on the next one [against Norwich] in the Premier League.’

Van de Beek takes responsibility for error in United draw vs Young Boys #mufc https://t.co/2KZa8bBxyc pic.twitter.com/qqjcbzYgHH

— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) December 9, 2021

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