Man Utd confirm first January transfer exit as Erik ten Hag trims his squad

01 January 2024 , 11:31

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Man Utd confirm first January transfer exit as Erik ten Hag trims his squad

Donny van de Beek has completed his loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt - all but signalling the end of his Manchester United career.

The Netherlands international, 26, has left United after a torrid three-and-a-half-year spell at Old Trafford. He arrived from Ajax in £40million deal in September 2020 but has made just four Premier League starts, the last of which coming in May 2021.

Frankfurt have the option to make Van de Beek's move, which was confirmed on New Year's Day, permanent at the end of the season. "Everyone at Manchester United wishes Donny all the best in Frankfurt for the rest of the season!" read United's statement.

This is Van de Beek's second loan spell away from Old Trafford after his seven-game spell at Everton in 2022. The midfielder has played only 21 minutes of first-team football this season and was glued to Erik ten Hag's bench for United's previous eight league games.

"Donny van de Beek fits our game idea perfectly and is an important piece of the puzzle for our team," said Frankfurt's sporting director Markus Krosche. "He brings a wealth of international experience that our young players will benefit from. Donny exudes a goal-scoring threat and, above all, should put our attackers in promising positions."

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Van de Beek will wear the No.25 shirt at Frankfurt. Dino Toppmoller's side are sixth in the Bundesliga - 18 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen - and have reached the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League, where they will play Union Saint-Gilloise.

Donny van de Beek has joined Eintracht Frankfurt (Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Do you think Donny van de Beek will do well at Eintracht Frankfurt? Let us know in the comments below!

Rumours of Van de Beek's move to Frankfurt emerged several weeks ago. In total, Van de Beek has made 62 appearances for United, scoring twice. He will now look to break back into the Netherlands squad ahead of Euro 2024, which takes place in Germany.

"I can see he has to play for his career and for everything," admitted Ten Hag in December when asked about Van de Beek's future. The former Ajax star revealed desire to play regular first-team football again during an interview with Mirror Football in November.

Van de Beek said: ''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. 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."

Tom Blow