Former Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen has suggested that Wout Weghorst would offer something completely different for the Reds if he was to join Erik ten Hag's side.
The Reds are advancing with a potential loan move for the Burnley striker, who is currently on loan at Besiktas. Since making the move to Turkey, he has scored eight goals in 16 games. It is thought that United enquired about the Dutchman on Thursday, however, his current loan side have a €10million option to sign him permanently.
Burnley did not insert a recall clause and Besiktas, who did not pay a loan fee and are covering his wages in full, appear set on keeping hold of the 30-year-old, which could therefore require negotiation between all three clubs.
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Meulensteen, who worked under Sir Alex Ferguson at United between 2007 and 2013, claimed that the attacker is simply a stop-gap, but insisted he could certainly be useful for the Reds.
"Ten Hag knows what he is doing, for sure," he told BBC Sport. He is 30 years old so it is a stop-gap because of the ongoing rumours with the takeover of new owners. That is probably the reason Ten Hag is being forced to do loan deals.
"He needs to do something in the transfer window though, so in this case it's better to go with someone you know.
"It is not one for the long term but it is somebody who can do a job for them in the short term, especially in the latter stages of a game when they need to force something."
The Dutch coach also stated that Weghorst is a good character, and a person who is determined to succeed. He added that he possesses all the qualities Ten Hag is looking for.
"He is different, that is why Ten Hag is bringing him in," Meulensteen continued. "He offers something else that the other Manchester United forwards don't have - but I don't think he will be a starter every game.
"He is tall, standing at 6ft 6in, and if United need to go a bit more direct and play off the knockdown, he is the type of guy that can offer that in the box. He is good at link-up play too, you can give him the ball then play through him.
"He is a good character who is determined, a hard worker and a fighter - those are his biggest traits. He is a nice lad too and there is no nonsense with him - Weghorst will put a shift in for the team.
"He possesses all the qualities Ten Hag wants in a player and so will fit in at United."
Burnley signed Weghorst for £12million in January 2022, but he only scored two goals in 20 games. He left the club after the Clarets were relegated to the Championship.
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