Wout Weghorst reveals intentions for next transfer after Man Utd loan and explains Ten Hag influence on Besiktas exit

Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst has indicated which transfer he would like to achieve once his Old Trafford loan finishes, while also speaking about Erik ten Hag’s attempts to get him to leave Besiktas.

Weghorst first moved to England in January 2022 when Burnley signed him from Wolfsburg as a replacement for Chris Wood. Weghorst was tasked with scoring goals to help Burnley avoid relegation from the Premier League.

However, the Dutchman could only find the back of the net two times in 20 appearances, and the Clarets were sent down to the Championship.

Weghorst did not want to play in England’s second tier and resultantly secured a loan switch to Besiktas in July last year. He played 18 games for the Turkish side, scoring nine times, but he would not end up seeing out the full loan spell.

In a surprising transfer twist, Ten Hag told Man Utd officials he wanted to sign Weghorst to give him another striker option. And the Red Devils paid Besiktas a reported £2.5million to end the loan so they could sign him.

Weghorst is on loan at Man Utd from Burnley until the end of the season. During an interview with Dutch outlet AD (via Sport Witness), he has spoken about how he can make his time in Manchester a success.

“In the end, it’s very simple. As a striker you are judged by goals,” the 30-year-old.

Weghorst then revealed how Ten Hag had made contact and told him to make the switch to Man Utd.

Wout Weghorst opens up on Man Utd situation

“He indicated that attacking reinforcements were desirable,” Weghorst revealed. “A striker, a number nine. Such a type was sought to add to the selection. And then it’s simple. The best plays. I have to force it to make minutes.

“In my career I have always done one thing: score goals. We’ve had two games now. If I start missing big chances, then I have to start worrying. But I’m confident I can do it and I’ll be fine.

“The coach saw that I was ready. Nice to enforce that confidence from the start.

“It is fantastic to be here. The atmosphere, the away fans, the game that waves up and down. Wonderful. I’ve been here for over a week now. It’s going well.”

Weghorst was then asked if he wanted to remain at Man Utd after the conclusion of his loan transfer. He opened up about his future plans by saying: “Of course. But first I have to make sure I can be of value to the team and this club.”

Dutchman will hope to change perceptions

Many Man Utd fans will have been surprised about the signing of Weghorst. After being linked with strikers such as Dusan Vlahovic and Victor Osimhen, Ten Hag instead brought in a player from a Championship club.

However, Weghorst has scored goals wherever he has been prior to Burnley. And he is exactly the kind of attacker you want coming off the bench when you are searching for a last-minute goal.

Man Utd could go after a big-name striker such as Kane, Vlahovic or Osimhen at the end of the season. So it is now up to Weghorst to ensure he impresses Ten Hag and earns that permanent move, which could see Man Utd reject the chance to land a different goalscorer.

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has revealed a Man Utd player can leave once an ‘important proposal’ arrives.