Man Utd's new Weghorst? Ten Hag interested in 34-year-old striker

Tom Weber

• Updated: 2 Jan 2024 16:43 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United are interested in a loan move for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, according to a report.

The Red Devils are in the market to bolster their attacking options after a very disappointing first half of the season. €74 million signing Rasmus Hojlund has only notched one Premier League goal so far this term, while €95m winger Antony does not yet have a single goal contribution to his name.

Erik ten Hag and Man Utd's recruitment department have been sounding out potential market opportunities. Though Sir Jim Ratcliffe's acquisition of a minority stake has been confirmed, the club are still awaiting Premier League approval which means that they won't be able to rely on his investment this month.

Therefore, United will be restricted to cheap or loan deals and this naturally restricts the number of available options. According to The Athletic, four Bundesliga forwards are on Ten Hag's wishlist and three of them are, well, some rather odd choices.

Man Utd want Choupo-Moting

The report asserts that Timo Werner, Thomas Muller, Serhou Guirassy and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are all options that have been considered internally. Man Utd's interest in the former three has been known for some time, but the links with Choupo-Moting are quite surprising, to say the least.

Deals for Werner and Muller are unlikely, with the former being reluctant to return to the Premier League after his horrible Chelsea stint and the latter having just extended his deal. Choupo-Moting, however, could be an option on loan, reminiscent of last season's signing of Wout Weghorst.

Weghorst and the Bayern striker are both physical presences who, when on form, can be deadly in front of goal. Unfortunately for United, the Dutchman was anything but prolific during his half-season at Old Trafford.

It was a desperate move at the time and the interest in 34-year-old Choupo-Moting smacks of similar levels of hopelessness.