Donny van de Beek was constantly associated with a transfer to Real Madrid in the past year, but from a move to the Santiago Bernabéu it was not for the midfielder in the end. With his transition to Manchester United, however, Van de Beek finally got his desired top transfer and Dusan Tadic is assuming that his former teammate will be a success at Old Trafford.

“If you look at how Donny was when I just entered Ajax (in the summer of 2018, ed.) and look at the player he is now, there is a world of difference”, Tadic is laudatory in his employer’s official podcast. “I’ve never seen a player develop like this before. His work ethic has also improved enormously. I’m proud that he’s grown this way and I’m sure he’s going to do well at Manchester United”.

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Tadic is praised within Ajax for the influence he exerts in the dressing room. For the captain, however, it is only natural that he tries to convey his attitude and mentality to his teammates: “This is something that is given at a young age in my country. They tried to explain to you that everything is important: even if you are playing cards, you have to try to find a way to win,” explains the Serbian.

“This is how you create a winner’s mentality. As one of the most experienced players, I try to explain to the young boys that they have to do everything they can every day to win. I try to be an example to everyone. I want the team to always be able to count on me: in the moments when it’s easy, but certainly also in the difficult moments”, he concludes. Ajax will play his second Eredivisie game of the season against RKC Waalwijk on Sunday afternoon. The first game was narrowly won by Sparta Rotterdam last weekend.