Fernandes shows true colours with message to Van de Beek after Man Utd exit

04 January 2024 , 13:12

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Bruno Fernandes has sent a message of support to Donny van de Beek (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United FC)

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has sent Donny van de Beek a good luck message on social media after his Old Trafford exit.

The Dutch midfielder, 26, has endured a frustrating three-and-a-half year spell in the Premier League since moving to United in a £40million deal from Ajax in the summer of 2020 but will now have the chance to kickstart his career on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt.

As the dust settles on Van de Beek's move, a number of his teammates have reached out to him on social media, including Fernandes, who sent the midfielder a touching message of support in the wake of his move to Germany.

In a comment shared on Van de Beek's post confirming his United exit, Fernandes posted: "Keep that smile bro," complete with a heart emoji which was acknowledged by the outgoing midfield maestro.

Although Van de Beek failed to nail down a regular starting berth under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, it did seem as though the appointment of Erik ten Hag could salvage his United career given he played under the Dutchman at Ajax.

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However, Van de Beek failed to get much of a look in during Ten Hag's maiden year at the club - and the writing was on the wall when the midfielder was left out of Manchester United's Champions League squad back in September.

Van de Beek even appeared to take a dig at Ten Hag when he was asked about his challenging time at United by reporters during his unveiling in Germany. He said: "If you don't play as many games as you want, it's tough, but that's the past now. I'm here now and I'm positive, which is the most important thing and then things can change.

Join the debate! Will Man Utd regret letting Van de Beek go? Let us know here.

Van de Beek left Manchester United to join Eintracht Frankfurt on loan this week (Shaun Brooks/Action Plus/REX/Shutterstock)

"I'm looking forward now. I think it helps when you play with players [at United] who have achieved a lot and have experience. You see them in training every day, which helps develop you and I'll try to bring that here as well to help the team.

"I've seen a lot in football now and hope to be able to pass on some of it on here. If the coach puts me on the field, I'll of course be ready. I'm fit, I played a few friendlies in the training ground. I know that's different, but I trained hard in Manchester.

"I feel good. Of course, you also need match practice to get to your best level, but I'm fit and this is the most important thing."

Dan Marsh