Van de Beek’s emotional moment with Nouri when he told him about Man Utd tribute

When Donny van de Beek knew his move to Manchester United was on the cards, there was one person he knew he had to call.

After speaking with his family, Van de Beek contacted former team-mate and childhood friend Abdelhak Nouri via father Mohammed.

The pair grew up with the same dreams and made their Ajax first-team debut together before tragedy struck.

Nouri collapsed during a pre-season friendly against Werder Bremen in 2017 and suffered permanent brain damage.

Whilst Van de Beek has become the latest of his former team-mates to go on to big things, Nouri requires around the clock care.

But that has not stopped Manchester United’s newest signing from keeping in touch and sharing the big moments in his life.

And Nouri’s father has now opened up on the emotional moment when Van de Beek told the family he was heading to Old Trafford and wanted to take Nouri’s No.34 shirt as a tribute.

“Donny called me,” Mohammed told NOS. “He asked if I was okay with him playing with number 34. And I said he should.

“I can only be proud of that. It’s a nice gesture, very special for us.

“Abdelhak responded happily.

“When he hears Donny’s name or voice, his eyes widen and he immediately looks up.

“He hears everything. You’re on the loudspeaker. He knows exactly what you’re saying and what it’s about. We don’t have to tell him that.

“He was also emotional, you could see that immediately. You can see it in his facial expression. But so are we.

“We are happy and emotional at the same time. Everything comes up. Donny and Abdelhak are close friends. It is real friendship.

Van de Beek is the latest in a long line of former Ajax players to choose No.34 for the same reason.

But Nouri’s brother, Abderrahim, says it is more special this time around.

He stated: “Of course a lot of players have chosen to play with number 34, but with Donny that brings an extra charge. There is more to it. They have a special bond.”