Manchester United add new attacking option as Burnley and Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst signs on season long loan

Manchester United have announced the signing of Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst on a season long loan.

Following the mid-season exit of Cristiano Ronaldo, United manager Erik ten Hag admitted that his side were light on attacking quality and were looking to be creative in the transfer market.

After considering options like Barcelona forward Memphis Depay, and Atletico Madrid’s Portuguese attacker Joao Felix, the Red Devils landed on Burnley’s Weghorst.

In a statement on the Manchester United website, Weghorst said: “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.

“I thank everyone who has played a part in getting me to this stage, and now I am looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and getting involved straight away.”

While the Dutch forward endured a difficult six months in the Premier League upon signing for Burnley on Deadline Day last January, he served up a reminder of his quality with important contributions for the Dutch national team at the World Cup in Qatar.

Weghorst scored two goals for the Dutch in their stunning quarter-final comeback against Argentina before successfully converting his penalty in the shootout defeat.

The tall attacker had been enjoying a successful loan spell in Turkey with Besiktas where he scored nine times in 18 appearances, including a winner in his final match against Kasimpasa.

He courted controversy by appearing to bid farewell to the Besiktas fans during that match, despite still being under contract with Besiktas for the remainder of the season, and was criticised by both his manager and the club’s sporting director.

Subsequently though, Besiktas reached a deal with Weghorst’s parent club and agreed to terminate his loan six months early.

Weghorst is not the first unconventional striker that United have signed on loan in recent seasons.

Back in the 2019-20 season they picked up Shanghai Shenhua striker Odion Ighalo on loan. The Nigerian went on to contribute five goals in 23 appearances.

The mid-season departure of Weghorst allowed Bestikas to move for free agent Vincent Aboubakar who had been released by Al-Nassr following the signing of Ronaldo, completing a circle of transfers.