JamBlog

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek has agreed a deal to join Eintracht Frankfurt on loan in January.

The move is subject to the 26-year-old completing a medical once the transfer window opens and includes an option for the German club to buy him next summer.

Van de Beek has struggled for game time since joining United from Ajax in the summer of 2020 and has made only two appearances this season.

Advertisement

The Dutch international, whose contract expires in the summer of 2025, will continue to train with the United squad until his transfer is completed. He also remains available for selection.

Van de Beek joined United in 2020, after scoring ten goals and providing 11 assists in 37 appearances the season prior, helping lead the Dutch side, then-managed by United boss Erik ten Hag, to the Champions League semi-final for the first time since 1997.

However, he has failed to establish himself, making only 62 appearances, scoring two goals, and providing two assists. He joined Everton on loan in January 2022, but only made only seven appearances and scored one goal.

Van de Beek’s time in the Premier League has been hampered by several injury problems, including a long-term knee injury sustained in January 2023 that forced him to miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season.

United are next in action against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

GO DEEPER

Ten Hag insists Man Utd chiefs back him

Why Van de Beek still can’t establish himself in Ten Hag’s United side

Analysis from The Athletic’s Manchester United reporter Carl Anka

Van de Beek’s willingness to moonlight in other midfield positions has helped and harmed his Premier League career. Additional minutes playing as a box-to-box midfielder have kept him in conversations for selection, but the 25-year-old is not a great tackler or dribbler, and is a sensible rather than spectacular passer of the ball.

At this last summer’s  pre-season tour of Australia, Ten Hag said of Van de Beek’s best position: “He can do both (sit deep and play high), I know that from the past. But his best position is his capabilities in the box of the opponent, so playing short behind the striker. He has a really good ‘smell’ for being in the right position.”

But Van de Beek’s sense for good forward runs has waned over time at United. Fernandes’ suspension for the game against Aston Villa last season, gave the Dutchman a rare opportunity to play in his favoured No 10 position, but he could only manage 18 touches of the ball when he was supposed to be his team’s chief creator.

Advertisement

One shot, 13 successful passes and no tackles in a 65-minute-long performance were the main stats in a game that yielded a 3-1 defeat.

GO DEEPER

Why Donny van de Beek still can't establish himself in Ten Hag's United

(Photo: Getty Images)

ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57lGpraW1iZ3xzfJFsZmpqX2aCcLnAp2SuppmpsqV51ZqlZpyVYq%2Bmscpmq6uZnqizpr6O