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Manager Erik ten Hag says Man Utd are close to a deal to sign Wout Weghorst on loan – but he will not join the club in time for Saturday’s Manchester derby.
There were hopes that United would prepare the Dutch forward to face Man City at Old Trafford in the lunchtime kick-off, but Ten Hag confirmed before the game that Weghorst had not been registered by the midday deadline.
“I think it’s close,” Ten Hag told reporters when asked about the Dutchman. “But he won’t be available for tomorrow. I hope, soon, he will come.”
United could be linked with Anthony Martial if the striker recovers from a foot complaint in time for the match, but if not, they will again be limited in forward options with a move for Burnley striker Weghorst still pending.
One player who will certainly be missing is Donny van de Beek, who Ten Hag confirmed has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign due to injury.
“In the long run, it looks very good, he will be back for the start of the pre-season,” said Ten Hag. “The rest of the season he’s out.
“I think all the thoughts are with him. It’s bad when you’re in the season and you get a bad tackle, a bad injury. It’s always really disappointing and the thoughts, the feeling with the players. that’s great, and now we like his knee in the long term is good.
Ten Hag: Casemiro is one of the best in the world
Casemiro was congratulated by teammate Christian Eriksen after giving Manchester United a first-half lead against Bournemouth
The Manchester United manager was also questioned about the impact the £60m summer Casemiro has made at Old Trafford since his move.
Since returning to domestic football last month, United have conceded just one goal in six games, partly due to the Brazilian’s dominance in midfield, and they again showed their attacking team with an own goal in the 3-0 win over Bournemouth. January 3.
The Ten Hag are in awe of the 30-year-old, who has established himself as an invaluable part of United’s midfield.
“He is very important,” the manager said. “He is the cement between the stones. Defense, organization, anticipation, supporting players in the right position, winning the ball for the team and duels.
“But also in possession, he can speed up the game. He has the ability to give the team the upper hand.
“Not many people have this quality in the world, he is one of them, so we are very happy to have him – he makes a big difference.”
‘This period is about positioning to win trophies’
Victory in the Manchester derby will move United a point behind City, almost completely closing the gap that has ballooned in the new year, and at the end of last season was at 35 points.
Ten Hag dismissed any chance of his team moving within striking distance of their rivals, and focused on United’s position in the table ahead of a relentless run in the second half of the season.
“This season is not even halfway. This is the second time we have faced Man City, but we still have a long way to go,” he said.
“This period of the season is about getting you in a position to win trophies at the end of the season, so you can play game-to-game, and don’t look too far ahead.
“We have to prove it [our improvement] tomorrow on the field, that’s just proof. It didn’t go well at the end, so tomorrow should be better.
“It didn’t come overnight, there is a process. In the past month, where we have developed and progressed. Now we have faced a better team, we hope. One of them is about the mental approach and attitude.
“We have to act with confidence and play our game.”
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