Eintracht Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmoller has extended an apology to Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek after a decision regarding the midfielder’s role with the club.
Van de Beek’s loan move to Frankfurt from Man United in January has seen limited playing time, with the Dutch midfielder featuring in just three matches since his departure from Old Trafford.
Despite the potential for a permanent transfer for £9.3 million in the summer, Van de Beek was notably omitted from Frankfurt’s Europa Conference League squad for the knockout stages ahead of their fixture against Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise.
Toppmoller expressed regret over the decision to leave Van de Beek out of the squad, acknowledging the player’s limited game time over the past two years.
However, he conveyed confidence in Van de Beek’s abilities and emphasized his belief that the midfielder would make significant contributions to the team in the latter half of the season.
“I told Donny that I was sorry but also what I expected from him now,” Toppmoller stated.
Despite the setback, Van de Beek showcased a positive response to the situation by delivering a goal and two assists in a recent behind-closed-doors friendly, earning praise from Toppmoller for his professionalism and readiness to face the challenge ahead.
“That showed me that he can handle the decision well,” Toppmoller remarked. “He is ready to take on the challenge.”
Van de Beek, who embarked on his second loan spell following his £35 million transfer to Man United from Ajax in 2020, is aiming to rejuvenate his career during his stint in Germany after a limited role at Everton during the 2021/22 campaign.
With 62 matches under his belt for the Red Devils, Van de Beek remains determined to make his mark at Frankfurt.
