Manchester United are interested in signing Burnley striker Wout Weghorst this month as Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his attacking options.

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The Red Devils saw their options up top reduced over the final weeks of 2022 after the club and Cristiano Ronaldo decided to part ways following a turbulent start to the campaign for the Portuguese star.

Since his departure and the return to action from the winter World Cup, Ten Hag's side have climbed their way into the top four of the Premier League table with three league wins from three since 27th December.

However, it would appear the Dutch manager is still looking to strengthen his options at striker with Anthony Martial earning the recent game time up top.

Reliable transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has been speaking to CBS Sports and has confirmed the interest coming from Old Trafford for the 30-year-old striker:

"It's true that Manchester United are working on this deal. They had a contract on player's side and the player would be 100% open, excited to join Manchester United.

"He knows Erik ten Hag appreciates him. He is convinced his skills as traditional number nine can help Man United."

Something different

This proposed interest from United will have certainly taken some by surprise given Weghorst has been playing his football out in Turkey this season with Besiktas.

It has been a fairly successful loan which has seen the Burnley striker provide the Turkish giants with a return of eight goals and four assists across his 16 league appearances (via Transfermarkt).

However, it has to be caveated by the lower quality to which he will be playing in, in comparison to the Premier League.

The Dutchman has already played in the English top flight during the final half of the 2021/22 campaign with Burnley which saw the Lancashire side relegated to the Championship.

Albeit in a struggling side which was ultimately relegated, it was not exactly an impressive showing from the Dutch striker during his time at Turf Moor.

In his 20 appearances for Burnley in the league, Weghorst was only able to provide the Clarets with two goals and three assists with no goal coming in his final seven appearances (via Transfermarkt).

Compared to Martial, Weghorst provides something much different physically with the 6 foot 6 frame providing Ten Hag with a real ariel threat.

Given his height advantage, last season, Weghorst averaged just shy of three headers per game, which is over three times more than what Martial has won this season for United (via FBref).

There will naturally be some concerns over Weghorst's potential goal return if he is to sign, however, it will be interesting to see what role he could play under his fellow countryman.