Man Utd miss ‘bonus’ Weghorst deadline

Robin Bairner

• 13 Jan 2023 08:56 CST
• 3 min read

Manchester United’s move to secure Netherlands international Wout Weghorst on loan from Championship side Burnley remains on track to be completed – but the Red Devils have missed an important deadline for the 30-year-old.

It had been expected that Man Utd would rush through the deal to allow the striker to be available for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Manchester City but that has not proven possible.

Subsequently, manager Erik ten Hag said that it would have been a “bonus” if the forward had been eligible for the fixture.

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The Weghorst deal has proven complicated because three clubs have been involved in the negotiations, with Besiktas reluctant to allow the striker to terminate a loan with them until they had a replacement ready.

Although United have cleared this hurdle and everything appears set for the Dutchman to complete his move, Ten Hag has admitted that Weghorst will not be in his squad for Saturday’s fixture after the Friday noon deadline passed without the forward being registered with the Premier League.

“I think we’re close, but he won’t be available for the Manchester derby,” Ten Hag told the media.

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Martial a doubt

Meanwhile, Anthony Martial hinted that he may be able to take a spot in attack for the match after returning to training.

“Diogo Dalot is not available. Anthony Martial trained this morning, we have to wait how he recovered,” Ten Hag said. “If he is available, that will be decided tomorrow. It is a small thing in his leg.

“Weghorst was not available in the last weeks so it would have been a bonus if he was but hopefully it will be soon, but we also win a lot of games without Anthony Martial.”

Man Utd could close the gap at the top of the table to Arsenal to six points with a victory on Saturday, with a trip to the Emirates Stadium next week in Premier League action – which could also prove Weghorst’s debut for his new club.