Bruno Fernandes posted a heartfelt message to Donny van de Beek after his Manchester United teammate completed his loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt in the January window.
Van de Beek first arrived at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2020 after United paid an initial transfer fee of £35m to Dutch side Ajax.
The 26-year-old Dutch midfielder was a key part of Erik ten Hag’s Ajax side that engineered a sensational run to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019.
However, Van de Beek’s success at Ajax didn’t translate over to his time at United and he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in the first team.
The former Ajax star, who was loaned out to Everton in 2022, was reunited with Ten Hag at Old Trafford and fans were optimistic about a potential revival in form.
But Van de Beek’s struggles continued at United before the Premier League club reached an agreement to loan the Red Devils player out this month.
Fernandes’ message to Van de Beek
United announced on their official website that Van de Beek would spend the remainder of the current season at Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.
Van de Beek, whose loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt has been praised, now has the opportunity to secure regular playing time with the German side.
The ex-Netherlands international received messages from both current and former United players after posing with an Eintracht Frankfurt shirt on his Instagram page.
Van de Beek on Wednesday uploaded photos of himself at an Eintracht Frankfurt press conference, with Fernandes leaving him a comment on his Instagram post.
“Keep that smile bro,” Fernandes wrote, adding a heart emoji.
Van de Beek acknowledged the United midfielder’s message and replied by posting a heart emoji alongside a folded hands emoji.
Van de Beek on Eintracht Frankfurt move
Eintracht Frankfurt have the option to make Van de Beek’s move permanent at the end of the season, with the club also covering most of his £125,000-a-week wages.
The Bundesliga side would have to pay £9.55m, plus a further £2.6m in add-ons, to complete the signing of Van de Beek if they’re happy with his progress.
Van de Beek admitted that he is “convinced” Eintracht Frankfurt was the right place for him and is now keen to make an impression during his loan spell.
Speaking to German media this week, he said: “I enjoyed it [the first two training sessions].
“It’s a very good team with good players, who are nice people as well. I’ve had some very good chats with the guys.
“Of course, I already knew the club and how they wanted to play was also important for me.
“I had a good chat with the coach and the way he sees football; that convinced me and I had a good feeling about it.
“Every player has their own personal goals, but I’m here to help the team and play at my highest level.
“I’m convinced that Frankfurt is a good place for me right now. No 8 or No 10 are my best positions.”
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