Man United Completes First January Transfer, As Van De Beek Joins Frankfurt On A Loan Deal With An Option To Buy.

 Manchester United have officially confirmed on Monday (New Year's Day that midfielder Donny van de Beek has completed his loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Van de Beek has endured a difficult time at the Theatre of Dreams since arriving at the club in September 2020 after an impressive performance by helping for his former side Ajax reach the Champions League semifinals in 2019 under now-United boss Erik ten Hag. He was named on the Ballon d'Or shortlist in 2019.

United had to pay close to £40m to the Dutch outfit Ajax to secure his services.

The 26-year-old has so far made just six Premier League starts for the Red Devils, and 62 appearances across all competitions, scoring twice.

He has featured just twice this season (19 minutes of playing time), and has made 12 appearances for United in all competitions since the start of the 2022-23 campaign.

Manager Erik ten Hag said recently the Netherlands international needed a move to revive his career.

He had a loan spell, spending the second half of the 2021-2022 season at Everton before returning to United, and missed the second half of last season with a serious knee injury.

Internationally, it is approaching three years since Van de Beek last featured for the Netherlands national team. He has been capped 19 times by his country.

Van de Beek who has a contract with United until 2025, will now join the Bundesliga side for the rest of the season, with an option to make the transfer a permanent deal.

Frankfurt will reportedly pay United a minimal loan fee and cover the majority of his wages. There is also a permanent buy option included in the agreement set at €11 million ($12.1m) plus €3m in potential add-ons.

A statement issued by United on Monday read: "Donny van de Beek has signed for Eintracht Frankfurt on loan from Manchester United.

"Everyone at Manchester United wishes Donny all the best in Frankfurt for the rest of the season."

Eintracht sporting director Markus Krosche said: "Donny fits perfectly into our game plan and is an important piece of the puzzle for our team. 

"He brings a wealth of international experience to the table, which our young players will benefit from. 

"Donny exudes a goal threat and is supposed to put our attackers in promising positions."

Eintracht are sixth in the German Bundesliga table, nine points off the top four, and are in the Europa Conference League play-offs.

The Bundesliga is currently on a winter break and Eintracht's next match is at RB Leipzig on 13 January, 2024.