Ten Hag's long-term plans for Weghorst and Sabitzer revealed in new report

Erik ten Hag’s long-term plans for Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer have been revealed in a new report.

After spending an eye-watering £229million in the summer window, United brought in three loanees in January.

In a late Deadline Day swoop United signed Bayern Munich midfielder Sabitzer until the end of the season, after star midfielder Christian Eriksen was ruled out with an ankle injury until at least April.

However, there is reportedly no option to buy the Austria international.

The Reds also completed the signing of Burnley striker Weghorst on loan until the end of the season as a short-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who acrimoniously departed the Old Trafford club in December.

Finally, Jack Butland signed from Crystal Palace on loan to replace outgoing goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka.

Ten Hag’s long-term plans for Weghorst and Sabitzer

According to a fresh ESPN report, United are prepared to sign Sabitzer permanently in the summer if he impresses during his loan spell at Old Trafford.

Despite the terms of Sabitzer’s agreement dictating that the midfielder will return to Bayern in the summer, United have allegedly told the 28-year-old there is a chance he could earn a long-term contract.

Indeed, the report adds that Ten Hag is hopeful that the prospect of securing permanent moves to United will “act as incentives for both Sabitzer and striker Wout Weghorst”, suggesting the Netherlands striker has struck a similar agreement with the club.

Sabitzer’s contract with the Bavarian giants runs until 2025, but he is expected to leave in the summer, having featured 15 times in the Bundesliga this term predominantly from the bench.

The 28-year-old is already behind Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich in the pecking order at Bayern, while the club will reportedly bolster their midfield even further in the summer with the free transfer addition of Konrad Laimer from RB Leipzig.