Wout Weghorst: Dutch legend ‘bothered by’ Man Utd transfer as doubts still shroud venomous impact

Although Wout Weghorst has got off to a decent start with Manchester United, one of his most famous footballing compatriots has joined the original chorus of questioning about his move to the club.

Man Utd raised eyebrows by bringing in Weghorst on loan during the January transfer window. In six months at Burnley, he had only scored twice in the Premier League. Subsequently, in the summer, he went to Besiktas on loan.

In need of another centre-forward after the release of Cristiano Ronaldo, though, Man Utd managed to get Weghorst to end his loan spell at Besiktas early, in favour of spending the rest of the season with them.

Although Man Utd knew all along they would have to find a short-term option in January, rather than a big-name star, Weghorst might not have been the player many would have expected or chosen.

Still, he has earned the trust of Erik ten Hag fairly quickly. All four of his appearances for the club so far have been starts.

Yet to score in the Premier League for Man Utd, he has opened his account in the Carabao Cup for the club. If he can continue working hard for the team, he may yet prove to be a useful recruit.

But according to Marco van Basten – one of the greatest Dutch players of all time, of course – it is still questionable why Ten Hag has chosen Weghorst.

Van Basten told Rondo on Ziggo Sport: “I still have my doubts about it though, because after all, it’s a player who used to be at Burnley.

“That’s not really a top club in England. He comes from Turkey now… I have to say I am a bit bothered by it.

“I know less about it than Erik ten Hag. Sure, he has venom, shows commitment and he is physically present with his body.”

Wout Weghorst trying to earn Man Utd future

Having venomous traits and commitment can certainly make Weghorst stand out for however long he is at Man Utd.

Weghorst has already admitted that he would be interested in staying at Man Utd beyond this season if he can be of value to the team.

However, Man Utd might be in the market for a more well-renowned option. It could put Weghorst’s own status in the team – if he was to stay on a permanent transfer – at risk.

Doubters like Van Basten are not the only ones he will have to win over, then. First and foremost, the 30-year-old needs to reward Ten Hag’s faith in him and show he belongs at Man Utd.

If not, he will be back under contract with Burnley until 2025 and may need to find another solution.

But some pundits could do with looking past the fact that he played for Burnley as their main reason to criticise him. After all, before that, he operated at a decent level with Wolfsburg.

Of course Weghorst is not the most glamorous signing Man Utd could have made. But if he can be useful to them in achieving their objectives this season, that will be all that matters.

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