Wout Weghorst trains with Manchester United for the first time after joining on loan from Burnley… and the Dutch forward could make his Red Devils debut at Crystal Palace on Wednesday
Manchester United’s latest signing, Wout Weghorst, trained with his new teammates for the first time on Sunday.
Weghorst completed his move to Old Trafford until the end of the season on Friday, signing on loan from Champions side Burnley.
The striker had been on loan at Besiktas during the first half of the season, but United agreed to pay the Turkish side a compensation fee to terminate his deal.
Wout Weghorst trained with Man United for the first time on Sunday after joining the club
United, who are also financing all of Weghorst’s wages, paid £2.6million to Weghorst’s parent club. Burnley will then hand over the £2.5m to Besiktas.
Additionally, there is no obligation for Manchester United to buy the 30-year-old at the end of the 2022-2023 season.
On Sunday, Weghorst was pictured in United training for the first time as he joined Erik ten Hag’s squad after their 2-1 victory over Manchester City on Saturday.
The club’s official Instagram account posted a photo of the forward in training and captioned it: ‘First United training session,’ accompanied by a running and a tick emoji.
Weghorst was seen watching on at Old Trafford during the Manchester derby after his loan move was completed on Friday afternoon.
Man United confirmed the signing of Wout Weghorst until the end of the season this week
The Dutchman said he was excited to play under fellow countryman Erik ten Hag (left)
The Red Devils had hoped to sign him in time so he was available for the clash with City, but this was unfortunately not the case.
He will instead hope to make his debut in Wednesday’s Premier League game away to Crystal Palace.
Weghorst’s arrival provides much-needed depth in attack for Ten Hag as his side compete on all fronts.
They are currently fourth in the Premier League, in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup and in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
The Red Devils also face a tricky tie with LaLiga giants Barcelona in the Europa League play-off round.
Weghorst spent the first half of the season on loan at Besiktas, scoring nine times in 18 games
Weghorst, a former Wolfsburg and AZ Alkmaar forward said that he is looking forward to playing under his compatriot Ten Hag in the remaining four months of the season.
‘I feel privileged to be joining Manchester United,’ said Weghorst, who hit nine goals in 18 games for Besiktas and scored twice for Holland against eventual winners Argentina at the World Cup.
‘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.
Weghorst was spotted watching Man United’s 2-1 win over Man City on Saturday lunchtime
‘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.’
Although Weghorst only scored twice in 20 games for Burnley after moving to Turf Moor from Wolfsburg for £12m a year ago, United feel they are getting a proven international goal scorer who, at 6ft 6in in height, gives Ten Hag a different option to what he has in his squad already.
United’s football director John Murtough said: ‘Wout has a consistent goalscoring record across several European leagues, and his attributes will add a further dimension to our squad for the remainder of the season.
‘We were also attracted by his strong personality and dedicated approach to football, which fits perfectly with the spirit that Erik is building within our squad. He has shown a huge desire to join Manchester United and be part of what we’re striving to achieve this season.’
