Wout Weghorst: A closer look at the Manchester United target

With Manchester United reportedly lining up a shock move for Wout Weghorst, we take a look at the Burnley man and what he could offer the Old Trafford side.

Who does Wout Weghorst play for?

Having signed for Burnley in January 2022 for £12m, Weghorst was unable to keep Burnley up, and was loaned to Besiktas for the entirety of the 2022/23 season, where he’s scored eight goals in 16 games.

What type of player is Weghorst?

A classic target man, Weghorst uses his considerable size to pose an aerial threat and bring other players into the game. He also has good penalty-box instincts making him a prolific goalscorer.

How good is Weghorst?

Over three-and-a-half years in the Bundesliga, Weghorst established himself as one of the league’s most prolific strikers, scoring 17, 16 and 20 goals in his three full seasons, finishing third, fourth and fourth in the top scorer charts.

His move to Burnley didn’t work out as planned, but Weghorst certainly has plenty to offer the right side, with good movement in the area, the ability to bring other players into the game, an eye for goal, excellent work ethic, and obvious physical prowess, with his primary shortcoming his lack of pace. 

How many goals has Weghorst scored?

Weghorst has scored eight goals in 16 league games on loan at Besiktas, and has an impressive 140 goals in 340 league games across his career in the Dutch second division, the Eredivisie, Bundesliga, Premier League and Super Lig.

He also have five goals in 19 games for the Dutch national side.

Will Weghorst start?

It’s unlikely Weghorst will be a regular starter at Old Trafford. Manchester United were light in the striking department before the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, and having spent so much in the summer, the Reds are looking at short-term options that won’t break the bank before trying to land a long-term centre-forward.

United have spent the best part of a decade looking for that world class striker to replace Robin van Persie, but have routinely come up short.

Radamel Falcao was hugely underwhelming in his year-long stint at Old Trafford, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic impressing, but always being a temporary fix. Romelu Lukaku was the best hope of a long-term No.9, but never quite fit the bill with 28 goals in 66 games and lasting just two seasons.

Odion Ighalo then came in on an eyebrow-raising loan with United short of attacking options and Edinson Cavani followed suit, with United eventually signing a 36-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.

How tall is Weghorst?

A giant of the game, Weghorst stands at around 6ft 6in

How much does Weghorst weigh?

Sources vary, but Weghorst is believed to weigh between 13st and 14st, making him a particularly imposing physical presence up front.