Manchester United has decided to loan midfielder Donny van de Beek to Eintracht Frankfurt for the remainder of the 2023-2024 season, with an option to buy.

As part of the loan agreement, Frankfurt will pay a small loan fee and cover a majority of Van de Beek’s wages during his time at the club. The German side will also have the option to purchase the 27-year-old midfielder for $12 million from Manchester United once the loan period concludes. Additionally, if Van de Beek achieves certain performance milestones during his time at Frankfurt, Manchester United will receive an additional $3.3 million.

Manchester United spent over $50 million to sign Van de Beek from Ajax in the summer of 2020. The midfielder played a crucial role in helping the Dutch club reach the Champions League semi-finals in 2019. Despite earning approximately $7.6 million per year, Van de Beek has struggled to make an impact at Manchester United, making only 62 appearances and scoring two goals. His time at the club has been viewed as a disappointment. This season, Van de Beek has only played a total of 21 minutes across all competitions and has not been favored by his former Ajax coach, Erik ten Hag, at Old Trafford.

Van de Beek is the first player to leave Manchester United in 2024, coinciding with the start of the transfer window. The team still has other players out on loan, with notable mention to 23-year-old forward Mason Greenwood at Getafe. Greenwood has been gradually regaining his form, scoring five goals in 15 matches in Spain.

Despite parting ways with Van de Beek, Manchester United is unlikely to bring in any new signings in January 2024 due to some financial fair play issues. This has also contributed to the club’s decision not to activate the contract extension clause for defender Raphael Varane. Consequently, the French center-back may leave the club as a free agent at the end of the season and is free to negotiate with other clubs starting now.