Wout Weghorst has already told Erik ten hag why Manchester United should sign him in the January transfer window.
The Burnley striker, on loan at Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig, has suddenly emerged as a possible solution to United's striker crisis. Ten Hag is looking to bring in a forward on a short-term loan deal for the remainder of the season following the departure of Crisitano Ronaldo.
The Manchester Evening News reported over the weekend that United are keen on bringing the 30-year-old to Old Trafford. Although Weghorst only managed to find the net twice for the Clarets during his 20 appearances in the Premier League, the Dutch international has found the net eight times and provided four assists in 16 matches in the Turkish top-flight so far this campaign.
ALSO READ: Wout Weghorst breaks silence after Besiktas 'goodbye' as Manchester United line up loan move
The 6ft 6in (1.97m) forward will of course bring an aerial threat to United's front-line. Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are currently the tallest attackers at the club (both standing at 5ft 11in (1.8m) tall) yet the former Wolfsburg star is more than just a target man.
In fact - during the 2020/21 Bundesliga campaign with Wolfsburg - not only did Weghorst score 20 goals, he also registered nine assists. It goes without saying that scoring goals is a striker's priority, but an ability to bring other attackers into play will be something that Ten Hag will be particularly interested in.
Yet even if the United manager is not convinced by his compatriot's attacking statistics, he can also take his word for it. Weghorst made it perfectly clear why he Ten Hag should sign him during his first interview with Burnley upon his arrival to the Premier League.
"The main [aim] for a striker is to score goals and it is something I am good at," Weghorst told club media. "I have achieved that throughout my entire career. I have always wanted to play in the Premier League, to be a number nine and to be a striker.
"It is always difficult to describe yourself but first and foremost I am a hardworking footballer, and I will give 100 per cent every single time I play. I will do everything to help the team be successful.
"I am a striker with a strong mentality, I score goals and that is my biggest quality. I am good in the penalty box and I can link up play.
"[On playing in England] The physical intensity will be high. This was the case in Germany too, but the Premier League is the next step and the next level. In my opinion it is the toughest competition in the World so it will be a nice challenge again. I am going to give it everything."
Although it was a disappointing six-month spell at Turf Moor, those writing Weghorst off do so at their own peril. Ten Hag will by no means suggest that the target man can single-handedly lead his side to glory this season, yet the Dutch forward can give United a new dynamic and take the burden of Martial for the remainder of the campaign.
The Besiktas loanee's commitment to work hard and give his all to the cause, alongside his link-up play, are two huge boxes already ticked for the current Red Devils manager.
Although Weghorst is not a United player yet, it is clear to see why Ten Hag wants to bring him to Old Trafford.
READ NEXT:
