Manchester United have announced the signing of Wout Weghorst from Burnley. The Red Devils have roped in the Dutch striker on a six-month loan deal that will keep him at the club till June 2023.
Weghorst had signed for Besiktas from Burnley on a season-long loan deal at the start of this season. The deal was cancelled midway through the season as Manchester United paid a £3 million loan fee for the 30-year-old that was split between Besiktas and Burnley.
There were plenty of reports suggesting that the Dutch striker was on his way to Old Trafford this past week before the club officially confirmed the signing earlier today. Erik Ten Hag was left without a backup striker at the club after the acrimonious departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
United were also linked with Weghorst’s international teammate Cody Gakpo. However, the winger was snapped up by United’s arch-rivals Liverpool. Another name linked with the Red Devils was Joao Felix. The striker ended up completing a loan move to Chelsea.
Weghorst will have to compete with Anthony Martial for the striker’s position at Man United. The Red Devils look strong on paper and even on the pitch in all the other areas. The backroom staff and fans will be hoping that Weghorst turns out to be the final piece of the puzzle.
In the first half of the season with Besiktas, Weghorst scored nine goals and nabbed four assists in 18 games. In his entire club career, the 30-year-old has played 414 games in four different countries. To date, the Dutch striker has scored 172 goals.
On an international level, Weghorst has 19 caps. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the striker scored two crucial goals in the nation’s quarter-final encounter against Argentina, which took the game into extra-time and eventually to penalties.
In his first official interview with the club, Weghorst expressed his feelings about the club, coach, and his personal goals.
“I feel privileged to be joining Manchester United. I’ve played against the club in the past and it’s a fantastic feeling to now have the chance to pull on the famous red shirt. I’ve seen United’s progress under Erik ten Hag this season and can’t wait to start playing my part in pushing the team towards its aims. Whatever happens in the next few months, I can promise to give everything to the club for as long as I am here,” said the 30-year-old.
In a separate interaction, Ten Hag explained why the club brought Weghorst in on loan.
“He is a striker, and we had an open position there to fill in. I think in the balance of the offensive [players], he really fits in. I am really happy, and I don’t think we had the type what he is. Most importantly, he can score goals from everywhere and he was always a surprise at every club, in every league. That is also what I expect here. For here, I expect a team player and someone who can link up, a player who will do his defending work and we are really happy to sign him,” said Ten Hag.
Weghorst will not be eligible to make his debut in the Manchester Derby but will be in contention to feature in the club’s clash with Crystal Palace after the Derby.
