Manchester United announce their first player exit in 2024

On the first day of the new year, one Manchester United player has already packed his bags and moved to a different club.

Manchester United have announced Donny van de Beek has left the club, making him their first player to depart in 2024.

The 26-year-old midfielder has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan for the rest of the season. The German club will reportedly pay United a minimal loan fee and cover most of the player’s salary.

In an official statement, Eintracht confirmed their agreement with United includes a buy option for this summer. While they did not state how much the transfer fee would be, it’s believed to be worth €14 million. It would involve €11 million upfront and a further €3 million in add-ons.

Van de Beek will wear the No.25 jersey during his spell in Frankfurt this season.

The deal comes amid a frustrating period in Van de Beek’s career. The Dutchman has struggled to recapture the form that led United to sign him from Ajax for £40 million in 2020. He has made 62 appearances for the club, scoring two goals and dishing out a further two assists.

This season, Van de Beek, who is under contract until June 2025, has played just twice and has not started a game.

Eintracht return to action on January 13 away to RB Leipzig in a Bundesliga match. They currently rank sixth in the league table, nine points outside the top four.