Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is closing in on the signing of Wout Weghorst, with the striker poised to join on loan until the end of the season.
Manchester United hero Patrice Evra thinks imminent Old Trafford new boy Wout Weghorst is comparable to Olivier Giroud. The Netherlands international is poised to become the Red Devils’ second signing of the January transfer window, with the Red Devils reaching a verbal agreement regarding a move. And while many are confused by Erik ten Hag’s decision to bring in his compatriot, Evra thinks the Burnley flop can still make an impact at Old Trafford.
Manchester United are in the market for a striker this month following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, who left by mutual consent back in November.
And despite links to Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata, Weghorst is on the verge of moving to Old Trafford on loan until the end of the season instead.
United have agreed a deal with Besiktas, who will officially let the 29-year-old leave Turkey once they’re able to bring in a replacement.
Now, speaking to Betfair, Evra has compared Weghorst to former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Giroud due to his physical presence and ability to hold the ball up.
“Reports are saying that Wout Weghorst looks set to sign for Man United, we’ve been here before, we’ve had so many players looking set to sign and we need to be careful, but he is a good player,” he said.
“As a player, what I like about him is he reminds me a little bit of Olivier Giroud.
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag is set to sign his own Olivier Giroud according to Patrice Evra (Image: GETTY)
“He plays with his back to goal, with his stamina, he’s strong physically and he knows how to keep the ball.
“He knows how to play in that fixed position, players like Rashford and all the team will enjoy playing with a player like that.
“Like Giroud, sometimes you just pass them the ball and you can run behind them.
“He’s a good finisher and he can finish with both feet. He’s strong in the air. That’s the kind of striker that I can see being successful if they sign for United.
“You can see that he’s not just a goal scorer, you can see that Ten Hag wants to have more control in matches and I think United’s problem is they are winning but they don’t control the games for 90 minutes and with those kinds of players, they let you breathe when you are under pressure.
Ten Hag pinpoints three things that “perfect” United must possess to thrash City
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has pinpointed the team’s togetherness as the primary factor behind changing the club’s fortunes on the pitch.
United are now on a run of nine consecutive victories after their Carabao Cup win against Charlton yesterday night.
United powered past the League One opposition to proceed to the semi-finals of the competition.
A bigger test awaits the Red Devils on Saturday as they will come up against city neighbours, Manchester City, at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag will be keen to get one over Pep Guardiola after the first leg ended in a 6-3 demolition at the Etihad.
The United boss was quizzed by talkSPORT on how he has transformed Old Trafford into an impregnable fortress.
Ten Hag replied, “It’s by standards. By every day, living along high standards.” In an apparent thinly-veiled dig at the departed Cristiano Ronaldo, he added, “It’s by the team, building a team. Nobody is bigger than the team; everybody has to contribute to the team.”
“That’s not about 11 players, but the whole squad. It’s the team around the team. All the staff – the medical staff, the performance staff, the coaches, the analysts.”
“Everyone has one aim, and they’re contributing to that and working hard for that with togetherness. When we keep this going, we can achieve a lot.”
Reflecting ahead of the City game on Saturday, Ten Hag said that his side can compete with any team in the world, including Pep Guardiola’s.
He admitted that his players need to be perfect or risk another mauling.
Ten Hag said that United’s stars have it within themselves to beat their noisy neighbours, but they must first have the proper cooperation, winning attitude and mentality.
SOURCE: express.co.uk, thepeoplesperson.com
