Manchester United could be short of options in attack for Saturday's derby against City, after the signing of Wout Weghorst was not completed in time and Anthony Martial remains an injury doubt.
United have signed Dutch striker Wout Weghorst on loan until the end of the season from Championship club Burnley but manager Erik ten Hag had earlier confirmed United had not got it over the line before the 12pm registration deadline ahead of tomorrow's match.
"I've played against the club in the past and it's a fantastic feeling to now have the chance to pull on the famous red shirt," the 30-year-old Weghorst said.
"I've seen United's progress under (manager) Erik ten Hag this season and can't wait to start playing my part in pushing the team towards its aims. Whatever happens in the next few months, I can promise to give everything to the club."
Weghorst had spent the first half of the season on loan at Turkish club Besiktas, where he scored nine goals in 18 appearances across all competitions.
Besiktas said they will receive €2.83 million to terminate their loan deal with the striker prematurely.
Weghorst joined Burnley in January 2022 for £12m but could not prevent the team from being relegated from the top flight in May.
"Wout has a consistent goalscoring record across several European leagues, and his attributes will add a further dimension to our squad for the remainder of the season," John Murtough, United's director of football, said.
"We were also attracted by his strong personality and dedicated approach to football, which fits perfectly with the spirit that Erik is building within our squad. He has shown a huge desire to join Manchester United."
Ten Hag could be left with a problem as Martial is struggling with a leg injury which kept him out of training during the week, although he was able to take part 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 said of the Frenchman.
If Martial is injured, Ten Hag could be forced to shift the in-form Marcus Rashford – who has scored seven goals in his last six games – in from his preferred position on the left, although Ten Hag played down the potential impact.
"We have won a lot of games without Anthony Martial," he said.
Diogo Dalot is out of Saturday's match with a hamstring injury, while Ten Hag revealed on Friday that Donny van de Beek’s season is over following the knee injury he suffered in a collision with Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi on 3 January.
"On the long term it is looking really good, he will be back for the start of pre-season," Ten Hag said of the £35m 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."
Van de Beek later wrote on Twitter: "I am really disappointed that the season is over for me. After successful surgery, it's time to start my recovery process and will do everything to come back stronger for this club. Thank you all for the lovely messages, they mean a lot to me and my family."
United were beaten 6-3 when they last faced City in October. But, since then, Ten Hag’s side have lost only once in 18 games, winning their last eight to stay alive on four fronts and climb into the Premier League’s top four.
Asked how far United have come since they were humbled at the Etihad, Ten Hag said: "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 in the last derby as he was still settling in after his move from Real Madrid, but has since established himself as a key cog in United’s engine room.
"He’s so important," Ten Hag said. "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."
