Manchester United could possibly be in need of choices in assault for Saturday’s derby towards City, with the signing of Wout Weghorst not accomplished in time and Anthony Martial an harm doubt.
United wish to usher in Burnley’s Netherlands striker Weghorst on a deal to the top of the season, however first needed to safe his exit from a mortgage at Besiktas.
Erik ten Hag on Friday stated a deal is “close” for a participant who has 9 objectives in 18 appearances in Turkey, however the supervisor confirmed United had not bought it over the road earlier than the 12pm registration deadline forward of Saturday’s match.
That may go away Ten Hag with an issue as Martial is battling a leg harm which saved him out of coaching throughout the week, though he was in a position to participate on Friday morning.
“It is a small thing in his leg, so it will be better tomorrow or he will be available for Wednesday,” Ten Hag stated of the Frenchman.
If Martial is injured, Ten Hag could possibly be compelled to shift the in-form Marcus Rashford – who has scored seven objectives in his final six video games – in from his most popular place on the left, though Ten Hag performed down the potential impression.
“We have won a lot of games without Anthony Martial,” he stated.
Diogo Dalot is out of Saturday’s match with a hamstring harm, whereas Ten Hag revealed on Friday that Donny van de Beek’s season is over following the knee harm he suffered in a collision with Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi on January 3.
“On the long term it is looking really good, he will be back for the start of pre-season,” Ten Hag stated of the £35million midfielder. “The rest of the season he is out.
“I think everyone’s thoughts are with him. It is terrible when you are in a season and you get a bad tackle, a bad injury. It is always really disappointing and thoughts, feelings are with the player, you express that, our group did that really well and we are now happy his knee in the long term is good.
“In the same moments, mixed feelings. Disappointment he is out of this season. The players are feeling we are building something good and we want to be part of it and everyone wants to be part of it.”
United had been crushed 6-3 after they final confronted City in October. But, since then, Ten Hag’s facet have misplaced solely as soon as in 18 video games, profitable their final eight to remain alive on 4 fronts and climb into the Premier League’s prime 4.
Asked how far United have come since they had been humbled on the Etihad, Ten Hag stated: “We have to prove that on the pitch. There is only one truth and it is always on the pitch.
“It is not coming overnight, there has been a process in the last months where we develop, progress. We have to be brave, act with belief and play our game…
“We took the lesson (from the last meeting) and from that point on we make huge progress. We have to continue that process.”
Key to the turnaround in United’s fortunes has been the arrival of Brazil midfielder Casemiro. The 30-year-old was a second-half substitute within the final derby as he was nonetheless settling in after his transfer from Real Madrid, however has since established himself as a key cog in United’s engine room.
“He’s so important,” Ten Hag stated. “He’s the cement between the stones. His defending, his organisation, he knows his position, anticipating and pointing players into the right position, winning balls in midfield.
“He has that competitiveness to give to teams at the top level. There are not many players of this quality in the world. He is one of them and we are really happy to have him on board.”
