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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Wout Weghorst confident of completing Manchester United loan transfer

Wout Weghorst is confident of completing a loan move to Manchester United as negotiations continue to terminate his loan with Besiktas.

Weghorst, 30, is on a season-long loan from Championship leaders Burnley, who do not have a recall clause, but United enquired about Weghorst on Thursday and he effectively bid farewell to Besiktas fans after scoring the winning goal against Kasimpasa on Friday night.

Although United sources say discussions with Weghorst are exploratory, sources in the Netherlands believe an agreement is close.

Also read: United laugh off Maguire speculation

United manager Erik ten Hag has earmarked Weghorst as a short-term support striker for Anthony Martial, who has not completed 90 minutes all season.

Ten Hag is impressed by Weghorst's goalscoring record of eight goals in 16 games for Besiktas. Weghorst's physical presence and aerial threat are viewed as useful attributes as United seek an alternative outlet to their current attackers.

Weghorst is a similar type of forward to Marko Arnautovic, whom United bid for in August before withdrawing their interest amid a backlash from supporters.

Ten Hag has pushed for a swift attacking reinforcement this month to ease the workload on Martial, who has been substituted in the last seven games.

"Anthony is subbed - there is a reason because he can’t match the load for many games," Ten Hag explained after the FA Cup win over Everton on Friday. "That is why we are looking for another striker, it's not about that we don't rely on him.

"But his physical load is not in this moment so high that he can't play every third day a game of 90 minutes, so I have to manage that together with him.

"We are really on a thin line in this moment because his profile, the quality of Anthony Martial, is so important for our game. His movements, his ball security, he brings a lot for the team, the pressing - let's not forget that.

"So we need [Martial and Marcus Rashford] to be a threat. And also Marcus Rashford takes benefit from that. So I am not concerned that only Marcus Rashford scores so many goals."

Weghorst joined Burnley from Wolfsburg in a £12million deal last January but only scored two goals in 20 appearances.

The Netherlands international came off the bench to score twice in the final seven minutes of their pulsating World Cup quarter-final draw with Argentina to send the tie into extra time.

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