Wout Weghorst: Manchester United Loan Star Slammed by Former Chelsea Defender

Wout Weghorst: Manchester United Loan Star Slammed by Former Chelsea Defender

Elijah Odetokun
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:29 PM
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  • Wout Weghorst is on loan at Manchester United from Burnley until the end of the season
  • He cut short his Besiktas loan to return to England to replace Ronaldo in United's attack
  • The Dutch striker has been underwhelming and is unlikely to stay beyond the season

Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United and created a transfer merry-go-round involving two other players. Al-Nassr striker Vincent Aboubakar and Burnley forward Wout Weghorst, on loan at Besiktas at the time.

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in the world's most expensive contract, which meant Aboubakar had to make way. The Cameroonian joined former club Besiktas, allowing Manchester United to sign Dutch striker Weghorst.

Two months after the deals happened, it is fair to say the Red Devils got the worst deal of the three, as the former Wolfsburg striker has fared not so well in front of goal.

Wout Weghorst, Netherlands, Manchester United.
Ruud Gullit claims Wout Weghorst is not good enough for Manchester United and national team. Photos by Peter Lous/Michael Regan.
Source: Getty Images

He was willing to pay his own release clause of £2.5m in January to force a six-month loan move to England, as reported by talkSPORT. It could have been a wrong move, as he would likely exit at the end of the season.

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Gullit: Weghorst not good enough

Dutch legend and former Chelsea player Ruud Gullit has launched an attack on Weghorst, claiming the striker is not good enough for United and the national team.

The 30-year-old had a poor outing as the Netherlands defeated Gibraltar 3-0 in the Euro 2024 qualifier, which prompted harsh comments from Gullit.

‘‘I always look at him in a weird way. I have a lot of admiration for him, but at the same time, I think… he is not good enough for Manchester United and the Orange. Every now and then you see defects,’’ Gullit told Ziggo Sport, as quoted by Metro UK.

He has just two goals in eight appearances for the Old Trafford outfit, which makes a strong case against extending his loan beyond the end of the season.

Weghorst explains Anfield incident

His performances on the pitch have not been the only thing to come under scrutiny. He came under fire for touching this is Anfield banner before United got thrashed 7-0.

The incident led many fans to want the immediate termination of his contract due to the rivalry between the two clubs, but the striker issued an explanation of the incident, as earlier reported by Sports Brief.

Weghorst claimed it was a joke with national teammate Virgil Van Dijk and that he told him he would do it to role the Liverpool defender up.

Authors
Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.
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Transfers