Manchester United have announced that defender Di'Shon Bernard has joined League One outfit Portsmouth on loan for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign.
Bernard spent time with Chelsea's academy before moving to Man United in 2019, but he has only made one first-team appearance for the Red Devils, which came against Astana in the Europa League in November 2019.
The 22-year-old spent the 2020-21 campaign on loan with Salford City in League Two before playing in the Championship for Hull City last term, featuring on 28 occasions.
Having not been part of Erik ten Hag's plans for the first team at Man United, Bernard has been allowed to leave on transfer deadline day, moving to Portsmouth for the rest of the season.
The defender still has 18 months left to run on his contract at Old Trafford, but there have been suggestions that he could depart on a permanent basis this summer.
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"After returning from injury, he has been playing for the Under-21s and will relish this opportunity to head out on a temporary basis for the third time in his career," read a statement on Man United's official website.
"Everybody at the club would like to wish Dish the best of luck on the south coast, with Pompey entertaining Barnsley in their next League One fixture, on Saturday afternoon."
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has said that he is looking forward to working with the "fantastic young player" for the rest of the season.
"Di'Shon is a fantastic young player with a great pedigree behind him," Mousinho told the League One club's official website.
"He also has first team experience from his previous loan spells, including in the Championship, so we know what he can do.
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"It was someone we didn't think we were going to be able to bring in, so we're really pleased to have him here.
"He's very quick and athletic, and likes to play on the front foot. He's also someone who is comfortable on the ball and composed.
"Di'Shon doesn't mind carrying it out from the back and has had that grounding at Manchester United, where the demand is to do just that.
"But he's also got that defensive ability that you need and for a 22-year-old, is very mature. We're excited to get him in the building."
Bernard could potentially make his debut for Portsmouth, who sit 11th in the League One table, in Saturday's league contest with Barnsley.
Matt Law
