Manchester United saw Cristiano Ronaldo leave the club by mutual consent back in November after his brutal interview with Piers Morgan.
Manchester United want a new striker this winter. And with the likes of Joao Felix and Memphis Depay being linked with moves to Old Trafford, it’s possible the club’s next No 7 could arrive this month. Erik ten Hag knows he needs a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo and, presently, the 37-year-old’s former jersey at the club is up for grabs…
Manchester United had been expecting Ronaldo to stay until the end of the season, despite the veteran struggling hit his usual heights following the appointment of Ten Hag as manager.
But they had no choice but to part ways with the veteran back in November after he’d given a critical interview to Piers Morgan about life at the club.
Now, United are looking to bolster their attack to ensure they can secure a return to the Champions League following their absence from the competition this season.
And with Felix and Depay two of the players on their radar, it’s possible their next No 7 could be announced by the end of the month.
United do also have interest in Wout Weghorst, with the Burnley flop being eyed amid his impressive resurgence at Besiktas.
Manchester United saw Cristiano Ronaldo leave the club back in November (Image: GETTY)
But Felix and Depay would be more natural fits for the No 7 given their history with the jersey over the years.
Felix has worn the digit ever since moving to Atletico Madrid back in the summer transfer window of 2019 for a massive £114million.
He had initially hoped to wear the same No 79 he’d sported during his spell at Benfica but, ultimately, La Liga rules prevented him from doing so.
Felix, upon moving to Spain three-and-a-half years ago, opened up on his preferred number by saying: “I wanted the No 79, but they didn’t let me here.
“Then I wanted the No 10, but that was already taken, so I ended up with the No 7.”
Experienced forward confident of completing Manchester United loan transfer
Wout Weghorst is reportedly confident about completing a loan move to Manchester United in this January’s transfer window.
The Netherlands international is currently on loan at Besiktas from Burnley, having struggled in his previous spell in the Premier League, despite a prolific career elsewhere.
According to the Manchester Evening News, sources close to Man Utd state they’re just exploring the deal, whereas sources in the Netherlands seem more confident a deal could be close.
Weghorst looks like a decent short-term option for the Red Devils, with Erik ten Hag lacking depth in attack following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, and the struggles of players like Anthony Martial, Antony and Jadon Sancho.
Fabrizio Romano also discussed the Weghorst deal in today’s edition of his exclusive Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, stating that the 30-year-old is a player appreciated by Ten Hag, though the reporter also suggested tat MUFC would do well to make a bigger signing up front in the summer.
“Ten Hag appreciates Weghorst and so they are now exploring conditions of the deal with Besiktas and Burnley also involved in this story because of the loan move agreed last summer. The player would be keen on the move,” Romano said.
“I think he can be a good short term option, but for sure Man Utd need an important player in that position in the summer, in my opinion.”
Source: express.co.uk; caughtoffside.com
