Wout Weghorst determined to prove himself in English football
Wout Weghorst has said that he is keen to prove that his time in England ‘is not finished’, as the centre-forward prepares to make his Manchester United debut.
The 30-year-old completed a loan move to the Red Devils at the end of last week, with the Netherlands international set to spend the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign at Old Trafford.
Weghorst is still contracted to Burnley, but he has been on loan at Besiktas this season, scoring nine goals and registering four assists in 18 appearances for the Turkish club.
The striker only managed two goals and three assists in 20 appearances in the Premier League in the second half of last season, having arrived at Burnley from Wolfsburg.
Weghorst has said that he is looking forward to proving himself in England’s top flight after an underwhelming period at Turf Moor.
“Yeah, really. For me, it was not done, it was not finished. It didn’t work out the first time as I hoped and I’m really hungry to show myself, to help the team,” Weghorst told MUTV.
“Of course, we are on a really good track now. The last couple of weeks, months actually, it’s going really positive here and I just want to contribute and give my best and give my all for the club and I try to be a part of the successful [direction] we are going.
“I think that’s something that’s one of my strengths (pressing). Especially without the ball to put pressure on an opponent, to be active and also these pressures in the time at Burnley had that a lot also.
“That’s something I am capable of and that’s also something in the way the trainer [Ten Hag] wants to play. He wants to play aggressive, he wants to go high on the pitch, try to recover the ball there as quickly as possible and I think I can help the team with that.”
Weghorst also opened up on his happiness at completing a move to the 20-time English champions.
“[I’m] really excited, of course. It’s a great feeling. The last week, of course, when I heard for the first time of their interest it was special and yeah, [I’m] proud that everything is done now. I’m a United player,” he added.
“[It’s] good for me. Also, to be honest, I think it’s the right moment as I feel as a footballer – I’m 30 years old now.
“I also already have experience in the Premier League – that was not as successful as I hoped – and I am really waiting and looking forward to getting back here because, in my opinion, it is still the biggest competition in the world and now I’m going to play for one of the biggest clubs in England.
“For me, [to play for] the biggest club is, of course, amazing, and as I’ve always said as a football player, and also as a human being, the stage I am at now, the [experience] that I have, I am ready for it. This is the right moment to take on this great challenge, of course.”
Weghorst is expected to be in the Man United squad for Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
