Wout Weghorst will not appear in the Manchester derby this weekend, confirms Erik ten Hag, with Dutch striker still yet to complete his move to Old Trafford… but United boss says loan move is ‘close’ to completion
Erik ten Hag has revealed that Wout Weghorst won’t be available for tomorrow’s Manchester derby with the Dutch forward yet to finalise his move to Old Trafford.
Manchester United were in a race against time to get the move across the line, after agreeing to pay Besiktas £2.5m to cut his loan spell at the Turkish side short so that they can bring him to the Red Devils for the rest of the season.
The United manager has admitted that they have not been able to get the deal in time – but insists that it’s ‘close’ to completion.
Manchester United have not been able to sign Wout Weghorst in time for tomorrow’s derby
He also revealed that Diogo Dalot won’t be available to play Man City, while they will make a late decision on Anthony Martial’s leg injury.
Weghorst’s loan move had to be completed by noon on Friday for him to be eligible to make his United debut in one of their biggest matches.
The 30-year-old flew by private jet from Istanbul to Manchester on Thursday to complete his medical.
United sources had said there was a possibility of him playing on Saturday, but unfortunately for the Red Devils, they weren’t able to get the move across the line in time.
Erik ten Hag revealed in his press conference that the loan deal is ‘close’ to being completed
It means that he could make his debut when United travel to Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Weghorst was cleared to leave Besiktas – where he has spent the first half of the season on loan from Burnley – after United agreed to pay the Turkish club £2.5million in compensation to rip up the existing agreement.
The former Wolfsburg and AZ Alkmaar striker hit nine goals in 18 games for Besiktas, and also scored twice for Holland against Argentina in the World Cup quarter-final last month.
Weghorst struggled at Burnley but scored 9 goals in 18 games while out on loan at Besiktas
United boss Erik ten Hag targeted his fellow Dutchman in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrimonious exit from Old Trafford and amid problems surrounding Jadon Sancho’s…