Rio Ferdinand has made a last-minute striker recommendation as Man Utd reportedly close in on the signing of Wout Weghorst.
The Netherlands international is on loan at Besiktas from Championship side Burnley with a report yesterday claiming he is ‘on his way’ to Man Utd.
Weghorst has scored eight goals and provided four assists in 16 matches for the Turkish club this season, while he climbed off the bench to score two goals in four substitute appearances for the Netherlands at the World Cup.
Besiktas want compensation before allowing Weghorst to go back to Burnley and the Turkish side claimed yesterday that there is no break clause in their loan agreement.
A statement from the club read: “The claim that there is an exit clause in our player’s contract, stating that his contract can be terminated with a compensation of 2.5 million euros (£2.2million) in case of an offer from the Premier League, is fictitious.
“The news that the player in question will leave the team on Tuesday is completely untrue. The initiative regarding Wout Weghorst belongs entirely to Besiktas.”
Weghorst is still expected to seal a deal to Old Trafford but Ferdinand thinks Man Utd should go for Porto striker Mehdi Taremi – who has a £53m release clause in his contract – instead with the Iran international contributing 14 goals and seven assists in 20 matches in all competitions this term.
When asked about Weghorst potentially joining the Red Devils on loan, Ferdinand told his Vibe with Five YouTube channel: “I’d have gone and got Taremi in from Porto.”
Harry Kane has been linked with moves away from Tottenham over the last couple of years and Ferdinand thinks he should be United’s top target in the summer.
“Get Harry Kane in, Spurs fans I’m sorry, you’re not going to win anything, he ain’t going to win anything at Spurs,” Ferdinand said.
“They’re in a bit of turmoil at the minute. Man United, in the summer, let’s go and find a No.9 for the next three or four years to hang our hat on, to get you 20, 25 goals a season every year, where are you going?
“If you go outside the Premier League it’s a risk, I don’t care what level, unless you’re talking to [Kylian] Mbappe. Outside that everything’s a risk.
“It’s massive money, 100 million, 120 million, [Victor] Osimhen, you’re getting charged. You’re paying big dough for these guys.
“You’re going to have to pay big money for Harry Kane but at least you know you’re getting a man who’s getting you 20, 25 goals a season. We can ask, ‘does he suit the play?’, the man scores 20, 25 goals. Harry Kane can’t be going anywhere but Man United.”
Manchester United predicted line-up v Charlton Athletic
Manchester United face Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals tonight, a second successive cup tie at Old Trafford.
This is the third home draw Manchester United have had in the competition, following victories over Aston Villa and Burnley.
United are heavily favoured tonight against the League One opposition, so the biggest danger will be complacency.
With that in mind, we expect manager Erik ten Hag to name an experienced side, despite the presence of fringe players Facundo Pellistri and Di’Shon Bernard in training.
Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesPredicted Manchester United XI v Charlton
The biggest decision for Manchester United comes in goal. Speaking to the club website, Ten Hag indicated he would be giving first choice stopper David de Gea a rest.
This leaves him choosing between two former England internationals, Tom Heaton and Jack Butland in goal, and considering Ten Hag has expressed some sympathy with Heaton for a lack of opportunities, we would expect he plays it safe and selects Heaton.
At right-back we expect to see Aaron Wan-Bissaka return to the team, with Tyrell Malacia continuing at left-back, and Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw both saved for the weekend’s Manchester derby.
In defence, we have been predicting it a couple of games now, Lisandro Martinez will start tonight for the first time since the World Cup. He came off the bench in the last couple of matches, and Ten Hag will want him tuned up ahead of the derby.
Alongside him, expect Raphael Varane to be rested, and while we could see Victor Lindelof come in, it will probably be Harry Maguire who is selected, with Ten Hag looking for his captain to step up, with Bruno Fernandes suspended.
In midfield we are likely to see a return of ‘McFred’, with Casemiro rested and Scott McTominay and Fred starting together.
Fernandes’ suspension means Christian Eriksen will be deployed further forward, with Donny van de Beek out injured.
In attack United’s options are still a little limited, and we see one change from Friday’s game, with Alejandro Garnacho coming in for Antony.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial will likely start the game, although an ideal situation would see United get into an unassailable lead and take both players off. If either do get left on the bench, then it would be Anthony Elanga coming in.
United v Charlton
Source: football365.com;
