I can't believe Manchester United let this academy graduate leave on a free transfer

There comes a point where Premier League clubs and graduates of their academies have to accept that it would be in everyone's best interests to go their separate ways.

It was an agreement that Manchester United and Di'Shon Bernard reached last June, bringing an end to the defender's six-year spell at Old Trafford. He had joined the club in 2017 at the age of just 16, having previously come through Chelsea's youth system.

Making just one senior appearance during his United career, Bernard was sent out on loan on three separate occasions, sampling life in League Two, the Championship and then League One with Portsmouth in the second half of last season. Though he had impressed at Hull in 2021/22, it was during his short-term stint at Fratton Park that his development went up through the gears.

READ MORE: Dortmund break silence on Jadon Sancho loan talks with United

READ MORE: Stuttgart chief addresses Serhou Guirassy exit rumours amid United links

Though he only made 10 appearances for Pompey, his performances, both at right-back and at centre-back, were impressive. The League One club was keen on signing him permanently, but boss John Mousinho admitted that the ball was in United's court concerning his future.

Addressing Bernard's future a month before his exit from United was confirmed, Mousinho said: "These are very, very exciting times for him, regardless of where he is. His loan has been positive and, although he might not feel like that because he hasn't played as many games as he'd like, to perform as well as he has done over the last four matches is a huge reflection on him. He has a bright future.

"I don't know if Di'Shon wants to stay, I will speak to him this week, but I'd like to think he knows the