Erik ten Hag gives Wout Weghorst transfer latest and update on Man Utd injured duo

Erik ten Hag has revealed Manchester United are close to completing the signing of Wout Weghorst, but has said the striker will not be available to face Manchester City this weekend.

It has been widely reported the 30-year-old is set to join from Burnley on loan for a price of £2.5m, with that fee going to Besiktas, where Weghorst spent the first half of the season on loan. The attacker will come in and offer competition to Anthony Martial, United’s only centre-forward following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in November.

Asked about Weghorst’s availability ahead of the Manchester derby, Ten Hag confirmed he will not be an option to come straight into the team. “I think we are close. He will not be available for tomorrow,” the former Ajax boss said in his pre-match press conference.

United will head into the derby with limited numbers up front, following Ten Hag’s update that Martial might not be fit to feature at Old Trafford. The Red Devils boss said after the midweek win over Charlton Athletic that the Frenchman would be available, but revealed on Friday that he is suffering from a leg injury.

Ten Hag also explained that right-back Diogo Dalot is out for the match and Aaron Wan-Bissaka looks likely to come into the team in his place. “I think Diogo Dalot is not available,” Ten Hag told reporters.

“Anthony Martial trained this morning so we have to wait how we recovers from that and if he is available. That will be decided tomorrow.

“It’s a small thing,” he added, “Something specific in his leg. We will see if it will be better tomorrow and if not he will be available for Wednesday I think.”

United host City in a 12:30pm kick-off and will hope to extend their winning run of seven games in all competitions.