Manchester United line up shock loan deal for Burnley striker Wout Weghorst – reports

Manchester United have begun talks with Burnley with a view to taking the striker on loan for the rest of the season, according to reports.

Ronaldo left United before the start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after he gave a controversial interview to Piers Morgan, and has since joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr to become the best paid player in the world.

United currently have Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial as their only two striking options and Martial has suffered with poor form and fitness for several years, and while Rashford is playing some of the best football of his career so far, he prefers to operate on the left wing rather than through the middle, meaning United need reinforcements. Rashford scored again against Everton on Friday night in the third round of the FA Cup, and though Martial featured as well he was not as impressive.

They had been linked with another Dutch international, Cody Gakpo, but the 23-year-old instead joined Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven in a surprise move just before the winter transfer window opened.

Instead they have now moved for his 30-year-old international team-mate, currently on loan to Besiktas, who have a 10 million euro option to buy. The current arrangement will need to be resolved in order for United to go ahead with a loan move.

United have no intention of making a permanent signing this winter to address the forward line, with the Glazer family looking to sell the club if they can find a buyer.

Coach Erik ten Hag is said to be keen to work with Weghorst as he believes he has the right temperament, which is in contrast to his willingness to move Ronaldo on when it became clear he was unhappy at Old Trafford, which ultimately saw his contract cancelled before the tournament in Qatar.

Weghorst has impressed at Besiktas, scoring eight times in 17 appearances. He scored just twice in his half-season at Burnley after joining to replace Chris Wood in the January transfer window after he moved to Newcastle United.

United currently sit fourth in the league table having played 17 matches.