Netherlands’ Wout Weghorst celebrates after scoring towards Argentina of their FIFA World Cup quarterfinal in Qatar. The striker has joined Manchester United on a mortgage
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
Manchester United has moved to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo by signing Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst on mortgage from Burnley till the tip of the season.
United supervisor Erik ten Hag was decided to bolster his assault following Ronaldo’s exit in November.
Weghorst, who was already on mortgage at Turkish membership Besiktas, won’t be eligible to play towards Manchester Metropolis within the English Premier League on Saturday as a result of he was not registered in time.
“Wout has a constant goalscoring file throughout a number of European leagues, and his attributes will add an additional dimension to our squad,” United soccer director John Murtough mentioned on Friday.
Weghorst seems an unlikely alternative for Ronaldo, who had his contract terminated by United in November after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan wherein he criticized Ten Hag and the membership homeowners.
Ronaldo has since signed for Saudi Arabian membership Al Nassr.
“I really feel privileged to be becoming a member of Manchester United,” Weghorst mentioned. “I’ve performed towards the membership prior to now and it’s a incredible feeling to now have the possibility to drag on the well-known crimson shirt. I’ve seen United’s progress beneath Erik ten Hag and might’t wait to start out taking part in my half in pushing the workforce in direction of its goals.
“No matter occurs within the subsequent few months, I can promise to present every part to the membership.”
In pursuit of a trophy
Ten Hag was eager to herald cowl in assault to spice up his workforce’s push for Champions League qualification and its pursuit of a trophy in his first season in cost.
Ronaldo’s departure left United with solely two senior strikers in Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.
Weghorst performed for the Netherlands on the World Cup in Qatar and scored twice within the dramatic quarterfinal towards Argentina. His objectives despatched the match to further time and penalties earlier than Argentina received 4-3 within the shootout.
The 30-year-old Weghorst has eight objectives for Besiktas this season, together with two in his final three video games.
Weghorst joined Burnley in a $15 million deal from German membership Wolfsburg in January final yr. He managed solely two objectives in 20 appearances as Burnley was relegated from the Premier League.
United was linked with a transfer for Cody Gakpo this month however the Netherlands ahead as an alternative joined rival Liverpool.
Ten Hag is anticipated to maneuver for a long-term alternative for Ronaldo in the summertime, with Harry Kane among the many gamers linked.
United midfielder Donny van de Beek has been dominated out for the remainder of the season by a knee harm.
