Utd will not sign Weghorst on permanent deal

LONDON – Manchester United have reportedly decided not to sign Wout Weghorst on a permanent deal this summer, with Erik ten Hag instead drawing up a four-man shortlist for an alternative striker.

The 30-year-old is yet to find the net in 13 Premier League matches, which has led to criticism that he is not good enough for a club of such size.

As a result, Manchester Evening News are reporting that a permanent move to United is not on the cards for him this summer.

Weghorst still has two years remaining on his Burnley contract having joined the Clarets for £12.5 million from Wolfsburg in January 2022.

Priority

A new striker is the priority for United this summer with Tottenham’s Harry Kane their top target.

Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen is another player admired by Ten Hag, while Eintracht

Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani and Atalanta goalscorer Rasmus Hojlund are also being looked at.

United already have a wealth of attacking options but only Marcus Rashford has delivered consistently this season, while they are lacking an out-and-out centre-forward.

Their lack of a focal point through the middle has been glaringly obvious at times.

Ten Hag’s men have found the net just 49 times in the top flight so far this season. No other side in the top seven has scored less than 60.

LONDON – Liverpool have confirmed they will play the national anthem ahead of today’s fixture against Brentford – but have made the decision reluctantly.

There has been a huge focus on the club since the Premier League contacted its members last week and advised them to mark the coronation by playing God Save the King. There was no directive from the governing body that this was compulsory.

Liverpool contemplated not doing