Abdelhak Nouri's father reveals what Donny van de Beek told him about Manchester United tribute

Abdelhak Nouri's father has opened up on the emotional moment with Donny Van de Beek as Manchester United's new signing called him to ask for taking his childhood friend's No.34 shirt. The two players have grown up together, sharing the same dreams, before the tragedy happened to Nouri. He suffered permanent brain damage after being collapsed during a pre-season friendly against Werder Bremen in 2017. And Nouri's father has told how Van de Beek told the family he was making a move to Old Trafford and wanted to take 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 player to take the No.34 shirt in tribute to his former Ajax team-mate. However, Nouri's brother, Abderrahim, revealed this time it is more special, saying: "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."

Source: Mirror

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