Frankfurt boss publicly apologises to Donny van de Beek after Europa Conference League snub

Eintracht Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmoller has publicly apologised to Manchester United loanee Donny van de Beek after leaving him out of their Europa Conference League squad.

Van de Beek who joined Frankfurt on loan from United in the January transfer window has already made three starts in the Bundesliga for the German side.

However, despite quickly settling into the Bundesliga side, he was not included in the club’s Europa Conference League squad.

Speaking to the press ahead of this weekend’s fixtures, Toppmoller would state that Van de Beek’s lack of game time at United led to his absence from Frankfurt’s Conference League squad.

“He’s only played a total of four games in the last two years, so it won’t happen overnight,” Toppmoller stated. “But I have 100 per cent confidence in his quality, he’ll definitely help us in the second half of the season.

“I told Donny that I was sorry but also what I expected from him now.”

With Van de Beek still working to return to his best, the midfielder excelled in a behind-closed-doors friendly against the club’s Under 21s last Sunday.

In the game, Van de Beek scored one and provided two assists, with Toppmoller remarking that that reaction from Van de Beek “showed me that he can handle the decision well.”

As Toppmoller stated, Van de Beek struggled for game time throughout his time at United, failing to pick up consistent minutes despite the £40 million fee the Red Devils spent on the midfielder.

Playing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, and Erik ten Hag, Van de Beek only picked up six Premier League starts after joining the club in the 2020 summer transfer window.

With Frankfurt having an option to buy Van de Beek for £9.3 million plus a potential further £2.5 in add-ons, it seems unlikely the Dutchman has a long-term future at Old Trafford.

In his absence, United have seen the rise of teenager Kobbie Mainoo, as well as the consistent performances of club captain Bruno Fernandes.