Man United decide against double-signing as Erik ten Hag searches for alternatives

Manchester United have decided against signing Wout Weghorst or Marcel Sabitzer on permanent contracts after their loan spells at Old Trafford.

That information is according to the Daily Mail, who added that United boss Erik ten Hag admires the pair but that the club will aim to search for alternatives in their respective positions.

Both players joined the club in the January transfer window after Ten Hag was told that he was limited to loan signings despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract termination in November and Christian Eriksen’s long-term ankle injury in January.

Sabitzer came from eventual Bundesliga champions – yet again – Bayern Munich, whilst Weghorst’s deal was slightly more complicated, as the Burnley forward ended his loan deal at Turkish side Beşiktaş to join The Reds on another loan.

Neither player has impressed to the level that they could expect a permanent contract. The Austrian midfielder did produce some impressive performances, but they mostly came when he was moved into the more advanced no.10 position – which is a role that United are not in need of recruiting. He’s also suffered multiple injuries in his short stint with the club.

Meanwhile, despite having some useful attributes on show in the early stages of his loan spell, Weghorst ultimately failed to score a Premier League goal in 17 appearances and largely unimpressed in the latter months of his spell.

Ten Hag cited the winter transfer window as an example of how United failed to invest in an interview last week, suggesting that he has not been happy with the impact of the two loan players.

United will be looking to bolster their attack this summer, with Harry Kane known to be the top target. Yet, the forward seems ever-more-likely to spend one more year at Tottenham Hotspur as he lets his deal run into its final year.

Bruno Fernandes has suggested fellow Portugal international Goncalo Ramos as an option for United, saying that he could become ‘one of the best’ strikers in the world.

United are also linked to numerous midfielders, with the emergence of Mason Mount as an option surprising many. The Chelsea academy graduate is reportedly favouring a move to United should he leave Stamford Bridge, which is looking more likely as the days go by.