Pundit Paul Robinson believes Manchester United should be pursuing a move for Memphis Depay instead of Wout Weghorst.
Erik ten Hag is looking to add to his centre-forward ranks this month and appears to be close to signing Weghorst on loan from Burnley.
United have reached a ‘full, verbal agreement’ to sign the player, and will pay Besiktas a €3m fee in order to cut short his loan spell in Turkey. The forward will fly to Manchester today to undergo medical tests and sign contracts, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Depay has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford recently, and talking to Football Insider, Robinson, who now contributes to Sky Sports, said that United should be going for the Barcelona man, who he thinks is ‘miles better’ than Weghorst and ‘would be a brilliant signing’.
“It stinks of a club that is in limbo.
“Look, Weghorst fits the bill. He will do a job. He is a number nine, a target man and a handful.
“But, where are Man United shopping? They need to sign a top striker. Weghorst seems to be a stop-gap. This is a player who Burnley have allowed to leave. He is a very good player but is he a Man United player, no.
“He is a striker and they need a striker but he’s not world-class.
“They should be going for Depay. Depay is a miles better player than Weghorst. There should not be a choice. Depay would be a brilliant signing for Man United.
“I’m sure the fans would rather have Depay back because it is a different Depay to the one that left.”
TIF thoughts on Depay…
Journalist Alex Crook has refused to rule out a move for Depay this month, even if United sign Weghorst, and you could make an argument that both could be of use at Old Trafford this month.
Anthony Martial is the only recognised centre-forward available to Ten Hag, with the Frenchman already missing large parts of the season due to achilles and back problems.
Marcus Rashford is also enjoying a fine spell in front of goal playing on the wing, so Ten Hag may be tempted to keep him there, meaning that a look at Depay, as well as Weghorst, could make sense – only time will tell.
He’s sure Depay is what the fans want? Oh well, that’s it then; let the fans pick the team and the tactics as well, what could go wrong? They and Paul Robinson obviously know better than Ten Hag.
Why are people who obviously haven’t got a clue about United’s situation talking about United? United don’t have any money to spend period. There is also the new enforcement of percentage of spend versus income. United already pay too much in wages and fees and will have to reduce this alongside trying to increase revenue. Weghorst might not be as good as De Pay but his wages will be considerably lower. Robinson should stick to Leeds.