Ruud Van Nistelrooy reacts as Wout Weghorst completes Manchester United switch from Burnley | OneFootball

In one of the more surprising transfers of the January window, Burnley striker Wout Weghorst has become a Manchester United player for the remainder of the season.

The towering Dutchman was supposed to be spending the entirety of the 2022-23 season on loan at Turkish club Besiktas, where he has been showing good goalscoring form, but the persistence of Erik Ten Hag to bring him into the fold at Old Trafford has seen a settlement reached between all three clubs, allowing him to sign for the Red Devils.

Weghorst failed to fire at Turf Moor in the second half of last season as a replacement for Chris Wood, scoring just twice in 20 matches as the Clarets were relegated from the Premier League.

Having made clear his intentions to leave the club, Weghorst then signed for Besiktas, where he netted eight goals in 16 outings in the Turkish Super Lig before United’s interest signalled the end of his time there.

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Burnley play in the Championship

Real Fake

Despite his poor form last season in the top flight in English football, Weghorst has been backed to succeed at the Red Devils by one of their past prolific strikers in Ruud van Nistelrooy.

“I think Wout has so much character and qualities that he will stand there,” Van Nistelrooy told Voetbal International – via The Mirror.

“I experienced him with the Oranje. He’s just a whopper of a guy, with an incredibly competitive character. We also saw that at the World Cup.

“Wout is ready for such a step. And he will make his contribution there, I am 100 per cent convinced of that. He has the qualities to make an impact at United.”

The Verdict

If Weghorst has the Van Nistelrooy seal of approval, then that should be good enough for United fans.

Burnley will have a real vested interest in this loan move more than most of their players who are away from the club, mainly because they could make some money back on the Dutchman if he shows some good form for United.

He should get the right amount of service when he’s on the pitch, and if he scores some goals then that could create an auction for his services in the summer.

Weghorst is unlikely to fit into Kompany’s high-pressing system at Turf Moor when his loan ends, so it would be best for all parties if he hits the ground running at Old Trafford.