Di’Shon Bernard is set to add his name to the list after he signed for Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer.

To new beginnings… @swfc pic.twitter.com/FIyYeKulB5

— BigDish (@DishonBernard) July 31, 2023

Bernard was one of the players whose contract expired at the end of the 2022/23 season and wasn’t on the club’s retained list.

Bernard signed for United in 2017, having come through Chelsea’s youth academy in what was a highly-coveted capture.

Since then, he has had loan spells at Salford City, Hull City and Portsmouth.

Securing a move to a second-tier side is a great achievement for Bernard, as he spent the last season on loan at third-tier Portsmouth.

He made only 10 appearances, totalling just 644 minutes of football.

It was a far cry from his 2021/22 season when he played 26 games for Hull City in the Championship and his prospects at United looked bright at that stage.

Hull were even interested in a permanent move for the academy graduate but United ended up turning down that offer.

However, the player failed to kick on from the successful loan spell, most of which was down to an injury which struck him at the worst possible time. Instead, he had to be content with scattered appearances for the reserve side.

As a current Jamaican international, the 22-year-old centre-back has international experience which was valued highly by Wednesday.

Moreover, his performances with Hull City have shown that he is arguably a Championship-level player so securing him on a free transfer is a good bit of business by the club.

United have been keen to move on youth prospects opportunistically now to avoid a repeat of Bernard’s fate. The club could have gotten a good transfer fee for the player at the end of the 2021/22 season on loan at Hull.

Instead, he leaves as a free agent two years after that spell, having made one senior appearance in the Europa League against Astana in Kazakhstan in 2019.

The post Former Manchester United academy player Di’Shon Bernard signs for Sheffield Wednesday appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Bernard took to social media to express gratitude and thank all those that have supported him throughout his time at Old Trafford.

He wrote, “Although my time at Manchester United has come to an end, I am nothing but proud of my journey so far with all the experiences and all the achievements I’ve accomplished along the way. A big thank you to all the staff, teammates and anyone who has helped me on my journey.”

Although my time @manchesterunited has come to an end, I am nothing but proud of my journey so far with all the experiences and all the achievements I’ve accomplished along the way. A big thank you to all the staff, teammates and anyone who has helped me on my journey #mufc pic.twitter.com/WDJSJYH8a1

— BigDish (@DishonBernard) June 12, 2023

Portsmouth News first reported that United made the decision to let Bernard leave this summer when his contract expires.

According to the publication, United had an option contained in Bernard’s contract to extend his stay by an extra year, but the Red Devils chose not to trigger this clause.

Last season, Bernard temporarily left Old the Theatre of Dreams and spent half of the season on loan at League One side Portsmouth.

Portsmouth News relayed that Bernard will not be short of options, with Pompey keen to sign him, now that he no longer has a future at United.

“It means the 22-year-old is now available on a free transfer, with the Blues eager to swoop.”

Bernard is likely to be the subject of interest from clubs in the Championship. Nevertheless, Portsmouth harbour hopes of securing his services on a permanent basis.

Portsmouth News indicated that Pompey are locked in negotiations with the United academy graduate’s representatives about the possibility of the player snubbing other interested parties and remaining at Fratton Park.

Last campaign, Bernard made 10 appearances for Portsmouth after joining the South Coast side on loan during the January transfer window.

The 22-year-old joined United in 2017. He made his senior debut for the Red Devils in the Europa League tie at Astana in 2019.

He has had previous loan spells at Salford City and Hull City, where he caught the eye with a number of impressive displays.

Bernard becomes the third player to be let go by United after the club confirmed the respective exits of Ethan Galbraith and Phil Jones.

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The post Di’Shon Bernard confirms permanent Manchester United exit appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Manchester United loanee Di’Shon Bernard was left out of the Portsmouth starting XI at the weekend.

As reported in the Portsmouth News, Bernard had to make do with a place on the bench for the game against top of the table Sheffield Wednesday.

Bernard also missed Pompey’s previous game, a 3-1 defeat at Barnsley.

The manner of the loss at Oakwell led to fans calling for Bernard to be recalled to the side on Saturday.

However, that wasn’t the case and Portsmouth went on to suffer back-to-back defeats, losing at home to Wednesday 1-0.

The two recent defeats have left Pompey’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread.

John Mousinho’s side are sat in tenth place in League One and twelve points behind Bolton, who occupy the final playoff place, in sixth.

Bernard’s weekend omission means he has only featured three times for Portsmouth since his January loan move from United.

His last game came on February 18 as an 82nd-minute substitute in the game against Lincoln.

The 22-year-old will be desperate for more minutes in the final part of the season as he aims to impress Erik ten Hag in a bid to earn a place in United’s squad next season.

United are currently well stocked at centre-back but spaces in the squad may open up in the summer should players move on.

If Ten Hag doesn’t deem Bernard good enough to for United, good performances if and when he gets back into the Pompey side could earn him a permanent move at the of the season.

Bernard has made just one senior appearance for United, playing in the Europa League against Astana, in 2019.

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Manchester United have had a very quiet January window, with only the loan signings of Wout Weghorst and Jack Butland coming through the door at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils do not expect too much in terms of incoming activity before the transfer deadline, but there may yet be a number of players on their way out.

The youthful trio of Shola Shoretire, Charlie McNeill and Charlie Savage have already completed temporary moves to lower-division sides, with Shoretire moving to Bolton Wanderers, McNeill to Newport County, and Savage joining Forest Green.

Although much of the outgoings concern youth prospects, as The Peoples Person recently reported Harry Maguire may also be on the move.

Inter Milan are supposedly keen on taking the United skipper to Italy on a loan deal, after being rebuffed earlier during multiple enquiries for Maguire’s long time partner at the back, Swedish captain Victor Lindelof .

Now, according to The Sun, another United centre-back, Di’Shon Bernard, is headed for the exit-door, as Portsmouth emerge victorious in the fight for his signature.

Bernard made his senior debut for Manchester United in a Europa League fixture during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign at Old Trafford, starting in a 2-1 loss against Kazakhstani champions Astana on 28 November 2019.

It was his unfortunate own goal that condemned United to defeat that night, and the youngster has never managed another senior appearance for the Red Devils.

He has since had impressive stints on loan at Salford City and Hull City in successive seasons, where he showed glimpses of his defensive prowess, but it wasn’t enough to convince Erik ten Hag that he has a place in the United first-team, at this present moment.

Bernard is best suited to playing in a centre-back role, but he can deputise at right-back as well.

Despite playing in the Championship with the Tigers last season, his willingness to drop another level to league one, shows how eager he is to get playing time.

The 22-year-old will be keenly aware that time is quickly running out for him to stake a claim for a first team place at United, but if he can impress at Pompey, he could yet force his way into Erik ten Hag’s plans.

The post Di’Shon Bernard moves on loan to League One Portsmouth in a bid to resurrect career appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Recent weeks have already seen Shola Shoretire, Charlie Savage and Maxi Oyedele secure moves but below we look at a further five United players who should be looking to follow suit and very well may do so before the deadline.

Zidane Iqbal

Erik ten Hag has suggested Iqbal may stay at Old Trafford but the young midfielder would massively benefit from a spell away from the club.

Spending the season so far in limbo, Iqbal impressed in pre-season and earned a spot in first team training but has yet to make a single appearance.

Despite some recent cup matches against lower league opposition, Ten Hag opted to leave the Iraqi international on the bench against Charlton and didn’t even include him in the matchday squad for last night’s fixture with Reading.

As the season approaches the tail end with no easy fixtures, there looks to be little opportunity for Iqbal to be bedded in, especially as 17 year old Kobbie Mainoo has grabbed his chance to move ahead in the pecking order.

Making only nine appearances for the u21s this season, Iqbal is in desperate need of playing time at any level.

A technically skilled midfielder, dealing with the physicality and pace of the game has always been the 19 year old’s biggest struggle even during his time in the u18s.

Therefore, getting up to speed with senior football will take a good string of appearances which will only be possible with a loan. Due to his slow and technical style of play, Ten Hag’s connections in the Netherlands would provide the perfect training ground for the young midfielder.

Axel Tuanzebe

Having just returned to training from a lengthy injury, any move could be pushing it tight for the defender but should be sought.

Well down the pecking order of an already deep list of centre back options for Ten Hag, Tuanzebe has little future at United and is set to leave the club at the expiry of his contract in the summer.

At 25 Tuanzebe is still yet to reach 100 senior appearances after a string of injury lay-offs in recent years.

Unsuccessful loans at Aston Villa and Napoli last season mean that there is a danger that the centre back’s once glittering prospects are fizzling out.

As a result, a move to the Championship on loan or a permanent sale could be on the cards with interest previously touted from Watford.

Di’Shon Bernard

Another centre back who has had his injury struggles this season, Bernard returned to training in November. He has since made three appearances for the u21s and has been training with the first team at times.

Over the u21 age limit and not registered in the Premier League squad though, the youngster has little chance of making his way into Ten Hag’s plans even in the event of an injury crisis due to his ineligibility.

Bernard has already experienced two successful loans with the most recent coming with Hull City in the Championship last season. Another move looked likely in the summer but was scuppered by injury.

With his return to fitness now, a Championship move should be in his sights in the coming days and having been left out of the u21s match on Friday, signs suggest it may already be in the works.

Noam Emeran

Injury struggles have also been a regular feature of Noam Emeran’s time in Manchester.

Signing a new contract at the end of last season, a loan move in the summer was expected before he unfortunately suffered another injury setback.

Returning to full fitness at the end of October, Emeran has been a regular with the u21s since but having made his debut at the level over two years ago, the winger’s time has come to step into senior football.

Netting in style for the u21s on Friday, the 20 year old was reported to have had interest from Germany and his native France in the summer, but there has been no news in January.

But whether it is on the continent or down the leagues in England, a spell in senior football until the end of the season would benefit the young winger.

Bjorn Hardley

Last is Bjorn Hardley. The Dutch defender who is comfortable at centre back and left back has been a regular feature for the u21s for the past year and a half, notching up 46 appearances.

At 20 years old, Hardley is experienced at the u21s level but has yet to feature in senior football and a loan move would see spots open up in the u21s for the talented group of centre backs in the u18s to step into.

Strong in the air and cultured with the ball at his feet, the former NAC Breda defender would be a useful pickup for any progressive thinking manager in League One or possibly back in the Netherlands.

The Manchester Evening News report a loan move is possible, but there has been no news of a potential destination.

The post Five players who should seek a loan before the transfer deadline appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Several of the club’s youngsters are in line to leave Old Trafford before deadline day next Tuesday.

United coaches and club chiefs are keen for these players to go out and play significant first-team minutes elsewhere and gain valuable experience.

The Manchester Evening News reports, “Talks are underway over a number of potential exits, with an emphasis on matching players with a club where they will get regular playing time in the second half of the season.”

“Charlie McNeill is one player keen on a loan exit amid interest from both League One and League Two clubs.”

“Those close to McNeill have made it clear that his decision will be based on who can guarantee him meaningful minutes over the final months of the season, rather than the level they are at.”

Beyond McNeill, United also want defensive duo Di’Shon Bernard and Bjorn Hardley to leave the club on loan before the winter transfer window shuts on Tuesday.

The club is adamant that they have no interest in loaning out Bernard and Hardley to join teams where they are not guaranteed to play regularly.

One academy player who is likely to stay despite there being massive interest in his services is Zidane Iqbal.

Richard Fay relays that Iqbal is now seen as a senior squad member and a player Erik ten Hag can rely on when the need arises.

Ten Hag is reluctant to let Iqbal leave and be left with an even thinner squad.

There is a belief that the Iraqi will play a role in the first team over the coming weeks.
 

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The post Manchester United working on loan exits for club’s youngsters as transfer deadline day nears appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

One such Manchester United academy graduate, who has gone under the radar in the last few months, is Di’Shon Bernard.

It is easy to forget that the 22-year-old has even made his senior debut for the Red Devils back when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge of the club.

Di’Shon Bernard’s fateful debut

That fateful day was during the Norwegian’s first as permanent manager with Bernard playing from the start against against Astana in the Europa League back in 2019.

Unfortunately, he would go on to concede an unfortunate own goal late in the second-half as United ended up losing 1-2 that night.

Since then, the centre-back has spent time out on loan, first with Salford City in the 2020-21 season, where he scored twice and assisted a couple more.

*Bernard Transfer News*
Di'Shon Bernard is hoping to leave Manchester United on loan for a championship club this month after recovering from a long-term injury, as MEN Sport said.#ManUtd #ManUnited #MUFC #ManchesterUnited #MUMUfootball pic.twitter.com/aXVCjPO27G

— MUMU Football (@MUMUfootball) January 11, 2023

It was the following year when he went to Hull City in the Championship where Bernard truly came into his own.

So much so that the Tigers were eager to buy him permanently from United. But a long-term injury meant all those plans had to be put to bed as he returned to United for treatment.

It was heartening to see the former Chelsea academy player be a part of United’s Spain camp during the World Cup. He even managed to play for 45 minutes during the second-half of their clash against Cadiz.

Chance for Bernard to earn permanent move

Now, the academy star wants to go out on loan this winter window according to Manchester Evening News, preferably in the Championship. Hull are not currently in the race to re-sign him.

“The Manchester Evening News understand that Bernard’s preference is to seal another Championship loan this month, though any appropriate offer will need to give him a guarantee of regular playing time,” the report mentioned.

Bernard was called up by Erik ten Hag to train with the senior squad ahead of the Carabao Cup quarterfinal clash against Charlton Athletic but was not included in the match-day squad.

Bernard has the attributes to have a successful career and ideally should get a Championship move this January. United could get a decent fee for the youngster if he can sufficiently impress in these next six months.

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The post After lengthy injury absence, Di’Shon Bernard eyeing January loan exit appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

To view a detailed match report, click here.

(A score of 6 is around average)

Radek Vitek – 6.5 – Didn’t have much to do throughout the contest but dealt with what came his way. Was a bit overconfident with the ball at his feet and played into danger too often when there were better options.

Marc Jurado – 6.5 – Solid at the back, rarely getting beat by the winger and offered an outlet in possession as he tucked into midfield.

Rhys Bennett – 7 – Another reliable performance where he didn’t give Fulham any space in the box to create.

Di’Shon Bernard – 7.5 – A rock at the back, he mopped up everything down the left side and was commanding in his charging out to win possession.

Bjorn Hardley – 7 – Combined well with Bernard at the back and his low driven cross led to the winning goal

Zidane Iqbal – 6 – Not the strongest performance as he struggled to exert control in the midfielder and offered little in the way of progression in possession. His performance could be summed up by Mark Dempsey’s loud shouts to not play the ball backwards and Iqbal proceeding to dawdle in possession before passing it back to Bernard.

Dan Gore – 6 – Solid when involved but ultimately drifted in and out of the match too much.

Mateo Mejia – 6.5 – Created the opening goal and was a constant threat on the right side but let himself down too often with poor touches and looked sluggish off the mark, as to be expected after his long injury layoffs.

Kobbie Mainoo – 6 – Had to go off injured before he could work his way into the match.

Shola Shoretire – 8 – His instinct to crash the back post netted him the match’s opening goal and he was main point of attack throughout. He also worked hard getting back too and made some important clearances.

Joe Hugill – 7.5 – A very well taken goal and offered a strong presence up top with his hold up play and constant running into the channels

Substitutes

Isak Hansen-Aaroen – 7 – Involved in some great link up play with Shoretire throughout the match and led to the eventual winner.

Omari Forson – 5.5 – Apart from one run down the right wing he had little impact.

Charlie McNeill – 6 – Some willing pressing and a tame shot during his short time on the pitch.

The post Player ratings: Fulham u21s 1-2 Manchester United u21s appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Here are our player ratings for the game:

(A score of 6 is around average.)

David de Gea 6 – Didn’t have much to do in the 45 minutes he played.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7 – Best performance for a while. Looked interested and tried to get forward.

Teden Mengi 6 – Shame that his opportunity was cut short through injury.

Victor Lindelof 7 – Was strong and did little wrong.

Brandon Williams 7 – Aggressive and positive. Did well.

Scott McTominay 3 – Awful display from McTominay. One of the senior players on display but performed like a nervous debutant.

Zidane Iqbal 8 – Pulled the strings and was at the heart of everything good United did. Man of the match in red.

Anthony Elanga 6.5 – Better from Elanga after a poor run of games.

Isaac Hansen-Aaroen 4 – Poor, but was perhaps unprepared as he was a late replacement for Donny van de Beek.

Alejandro Garnacho 6.5 – A few decent runs, but nothing spectacular.

Anthony Martial 6.5 – Only had 45 minutes and didn’t have too much involvement.

Substitutes

Rhys Bennett 7 – Did very well.

Tom Heaton 7 – Made an excellent save to keep the score at 1-0.

Sam Murray 6.5 – Did well again.

Shola Shoretire 5.5 – Showed nothing.

Kobbie Mainoo 6.5 – A couple of nice flashes, but nothing spectacular.

Noah Emeran 6.5 – Ditto.

Joe Hugill 6 – Didn’t get many opportunities.

Marc Jurado 6 – Didn’t have time to make much impact.

Charlie Savage 6 – Didn’t have time to make much impact.

The post Player ratings: Real Betis 1-0 Man United appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Here are our player ratings for the game:

(A score of 6 is around average.)

Martin Dubravka 5 – While the goals weren’t his fault, he wasn’t able to command the defence. Fumbled a simple cross in second half.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka 3.5 – If this was an opportunity to change ten Hag’s mind about him, it wasn’t taken. A poor performance littered with his old positional gaffes.

Teden Mengi 4 – Did little better than Wan-bissaka.

Victor Lindelof 5.5 – Didn’t look comfortable with Mengi, but that may not have been his fault.

Brandon Williams 6 – Probably United’s best defender on the night, though that’s not saying much.

Scott McTominay 5 – Anonymous and invisible other than a good clearing header in the first half.

Zidane Iqbal 6.5 – Was also anonymous and invisible apart from the excellent run that won United’s penalty.

Anthony Elanga 2 – Totally ineffective and lacking in confidence. Needs a loan.

Donny van de Beek 4 – Poor. Another squandered chance to impress.

Alejandro Garnacho 6 – Started brightly but then got no service and vanished.

Anthony Martial 7.5 – Looked a class apart from the rest of the team.Dispatched the penalty coolly.

Substitutes

Di’Shon Bernard 8 – Centre back performances in the second half were head and shoulders over those of the first.

Tyler Fredricson 8 – Also defended well. Despite conceding two goals, this centre bback partnership looked solid.

Sam Murray 7 – Can be proud of his performance.

Marc Jurado 7 – Did well.

Noah Emeran 6.5 – started brightly but faded.

Charlie Savage 5 – Did OK but lost possession for the fourth goal.

Isaac Hansen-Aaroen 6 – A little disappointing given all the hype about this lad.

Shola Shoretire 6 – Also a little disappointing.

Kobbie Mainoo 7.5 – Probably United’s brightest spark in the second half. If he’d not tried too hard for penalties, he could have made something happen.

Charlie McNeill 6 – Made little impact.

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