- The 26-year-old has struggle to settle at Old Trafford after his move from Ajax
- This season, Van de Beek has played just 21 minutes under coach Erik ten Hag
- Manchester United fans must be DREADING Anfield trip – It’s All Kicking Off
Manchester United outcast Donny van de Beek has agreed personal terms for a half-season loan to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Once a promising young talent at Ajax, Van de Beek has struggled since his 2020 move to Old Trafford, failing to string together a run of positive form, increasingly hampered by injury, and dropping out of the plans of a succession of managers.
A reunion with his former Eredivisie boss Erik ten Hag has thus far been unable to reignite his career, and over the three seasons since joining the Red Devils, Van de Beek has made just six Premier League starts.
Van de Beek was sent on loan to Everton for the second-half of the 2021-22 season, but struggled for gametime, making just seven appearances for the Toffees.
This season, Van de Beek has played 21 minutes of football across all competitions, and admitted in November that he was ‘bouncing to play matches’.
Donny van de Beek has agreed personal terms with Eintracht Frankfurt ahead of loan deal
The player has struggled for fitness and form since his 2020 move to Man United from Ajax
Last season saw Donny van de Beek’s gametime curtailed by a knee injury in January 2023
Van de Beek could be doing so at the Bundesliga outfit, who will bring the player in on loan until June 2024 with the option to buy.
Whilst there is no mandatory deal, should the move work out, Eintracht could purchase Van de Beek for £12.5million plus add-ons.
Despite the club paying Man United a loan fee, a potential permanent move for the midfielder would see the Red Devils making a significant loss on their £39m purchase of Van de Beek.
The 26-year-old was clear-eyed about the possibility of a move away from the club in a bid to reinvent himself, which he claimed he was prepared to do ‘if not at Man United then at another club’.
‘I think I have to be ambitious,’ Van de Beek added. ‘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.’
Ten Hag admitted earlier in December that the club were prepared to let Van de Beek leave to pursue other options, adding: ‘I can see he has to play for his career and for everything’.
High-flying LaLiga side Girona were another club reportedly interested in signing the midfielder, and Van de Beek is thought to have offered himself to Barcelona with a view to booking a move to Spain.
Van de Beek and United manager Erik ten Hag previously worked with each other at Ajax
Juventus – who signed Van de Beek’s former Ajax team-mate Matthijs de Ligt in the wake of their explosive 2018/2019 season – were also said to be keen on the player bolstering their midfield ranks.
Should Van de Beek make his move away from Man United permanent next summer, the club may yet lament his efficient price tag.
After failing to qualify for the knockout stages of any European competition following their home defeat to Bayern Munich, United have been left with a £28m dent in their transfer budget.
As a result, the club may find themselves open to offers for less-favoured players including Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial, and Casemiro during the upcoming January transfer window.
