Donny van de Beek’s latest ’embarrassment’ explained by Frankfurt boss amid Man United callout

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek was substituted in Eintracht Frankfurt’s latest game despite coming off the bench in the first half.

Van de Beek moved on loan to Germany in the January transfer window to earn more first-team minutes ahead of a likely summer move away from United.

The Dutch midfielder started his first three games for Frankfurt before being an unused substitute against Koln.

Then, last time out, he came off the bench in the first half after an injury but only lasted until the 84th minute before being replaced again in what has been described as an ’embarrassing’ moment for the midfielder.

However, Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmoller has since confirmed that the decision wasn’t due to injury or the loanee’s performance but instead his lack of match fitness and the ability to last a full match.

He told Liga Insider: “Unfortunately, I had to replace Donny again. This is because we knew he wouldn’t be able to keep up the power for 70 minutes.”

Van de Beek played 90 minutes just five times for United after joining in the summer of 2020, so it is an understandable hurdle for the midfielder now. He has also been left out of the German club’s Europa Conference League squad for the knockout stages.

A similar message was sent to United when Jadon Sancho suffered a muscular injury earlier this month for Borussia Dortmund. He has since returned.

Edin Terzić, Dortmund manager, suggested that the injury was down to the lack of football he played at Old Trafford after he was banished from the first-team under Erik ten Hag.

“He has not been able to train with the team on both of the last two days because he has felt minor muscular problems in his adductor region, which is not surprising after his long break,” Terzic told Dortmund media.