Manchester United are in talks with Burnley over the possible signing of striker Wout Weghorst on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 30-year-old Weghorst, who is currently on a season-long loan at Turkish Super Lig giant Beşiktaş, is keen on the move. United, however, will have to negotiate a compensation package through Burnley for Beşiktaş to terminate the loan deal, which includes a €10m buy-out clause and no take-back clause, sooner than provided.
Although the specifications appear complicated, it is increasingly likely that United will succeed in their bid to acquire Weghorst. So why did Erik ten Hag turn Richard Arnold’s attention to the 6’6 forward?
he is a center forward
The main thing Ten Hag has been looking for in this January transfer window is an unrecognized. 9 – not a left forward who is “capable” of playing lone forward (see: Cody Gakpo); not a no 10/second striker who “knew how to do a job” above (see: João Félix). No. Simply, a center forward at all costs.
Anthony Martial is the only recognized center forward in the first team since Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract was terminated by mutual consent six weeks ago, and the inconsistent Frenchman only made the transition to this position just a few seasons ago.
Weghorst is strictly a striker, a goalscoring center forward from the start of his career. And he has an impressive track record to prove it.
45 goals in 86 games for AZ Alkmaar; 70 goals in 144 games with Wolfsburg; 9 goals in 18 appearances for Beşiktaş. Weghorst has consistently met this ratio of 0.5 goals per game (or something like that) throughout his career.
It’s true that he struggled to replicate this form in the Premier League at Burnley, registering just two goals and three assists during the second part of last season. But keep in mind that he was playing on a team that had been known for its reliance on defensive tactics for several years.
However, his lack of shot creation and goal scoring rate in the Premier League cannot conveniently be turned into a moot point. But he can’t do it the rest of his career either due to a six-month slump.
Consider the season before his foray at Turf Moor, his best scoring season to date. In 2020/21, Weghorst scored 20 Bundesliga goals for Wolfsburg, scoring one goal for every five shots – he was a ruthless finisher.
The Dutch international is known in Europe for his prowess inside the penalty box, a key attribute missing from United today. A clinical, commanding, penalty-box poacher: an absolute no-go who gets goals. 9.
All-round, all guns burning
As The Athletic noted in its examination of the potential deal, Weghorst is a “pressing monster.” This was highlighted by the fact that he registered 57 pressings last season against Wolverhampton Wanderers, more than any other player in the Premier League last season.
This is undoubtedly one of the key reasons why Ten Hag has asked for Weghorst’s signature. The Dutchman’s total football ideals are based on players proactively working in unison to regain possession once lost.
What’s more, he’s already shown the United squad what will happen if they don’t push and run at least as hard as the opposition – watch the day after the 4-0 defeat to Brentford.
Weghorst does not press hastily or for no reason. He recovers the ball 3.86 times every 90 minutes, according to FBRef, which makes him one of the best forwards in this proactive aspect of the game.
Excellent on defense in transition, his relentless rushing is shrewdly calculated to pay off often.
dynamic screens
Weghorst isn’t just some race-addicted target man sent to be out front.
Though lauded for his goal-hunting abilities and dominance in the opposition box, the 6’6 striker has several useful strings in his bow. It is this dynamism that has made Ten Hag eager to bring Weghorst into the United ranks.
The Athletic wrote how Weghorst “also epitomizes the cliché, ‘nice feet for a big man’.” This can be demonstrated statistically in different aspects.
Over the past year, Weghorst has a 60% successful dribbles rate per 90 minutes, which puts him in the top 96th percentile. Although he is 6”6, he is remarkably dexterous and adept with the ball at his feet when he faces a defender.
In addition, the striker does not work exclusively around the box. He is very capable of shooting deep to help move the ball through the thirds.
Averaging 16.64 short passes per 90, Weghorst likes to combine with his teammates and link play. This should help Ten Hag in his dream of having a ‘fluid’ attack by having a clear option up front who is keen to introduce other forwards into the game with short, quick exchanges and enjoys having the ball at his feet.
His average completion rate, on the other hand, sits at 65%, something he would need to drastically improve on if he wants to be a mainstay in United’s starting XI.
A character… A Dutch character*
Since Ten Hag became United manager, there has been a sudden influx of “characters” at the club, something Roy Keane had been criticizing for the lack of dressing room in recent years.
Whether it is the reinvigoration of the experienced winner Raphaël Varane; newly crowned Manchester Butcher Lisandro Martinez; Mitchell van der Gaag’s cunning personality and multilingual skills; the world-class presentation of Casemiro, ready to put a ticket on anyone and everyone to get the ball back; bubbly treble-winning coach Steve McClaren; Rashford’s new drive to be the best; or the laconic nature of himself, Ten Hag has managed to transform the dressing room into a box full of characters.
Weghorst would fit very well in this group.
The striker fired into public discourse after his fight with Lionel Messi during the Netherlands’ quarter-final clash against Argentina (and after the routine incredible goal). His confidence showed when he refused to back down against arguably the greatest player of all time.
The Athletic state that United (and more definitely Ten Hag) ‘are not deterred by that. They want players with personality.’
United, as Keane has consistently pointed out, needs personality to be a successful team. It probably helps that Weghorst is also Dutch. Weghorst and Ten Hag’s hometowns are incredibly close to each other within the province of Overijssel, leading to them having the same Dutch accent and dialect.
United’s transfer strategy since the arrival of Ten Hag has revolved around the Netherlands; Weghorst would become the fifth addition to the team with such an attachment.
Conclution
All things considered, it’s understandable why Ten Hag is looking to introduce Weghorst to the United squad. What’s more, fans now trust the coach’s opinion of him.
Ten Hag is not shying away from the fact that a six-month loan signing means, in essence, a “quick fix” until United can afford to buy the ideal young centre-forward in the summer under new ownership. Will United’s fast and flashy new solution bring his best qualities to life at Old Trafford?
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