Wout Weghorst blames Erik ten Hag’s tactics for failed Man Utd transfer

Wout Weghorst cried tears of joy the day he joined Manchester United – but the Dutchman now blames Erik ten Hag for his failure to make the grade at Old Trafford.

Weghorst, 31, realised his boyhood dream when United paid £3million to cut short his loan move to Turkish club Besiktas from Burnley last January. He was so emotional when he heard about United’s move that he wept.

But Weghorst is now on loan at German club Hoffenheim after a five-month spell in Manchester that realised an EFL Cup medal and an appearance in the FA Cup final – but just two goals. And the 6ft 6ins striker feels his failure to find the back of the net more often was down to the tactics employed by United boss Ten Hag.

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Weghorst said: “They were super successful months in which we hardly lost. I was also very important for the team, as both a focal point of play and hard-working link between midfield and attack.

“Only my goals were lagging behind. That gnawed at me and was the reason why I lost my starting place.

“The Premier League is by far the toughest league in the world, with the best defenders. But we were rarely the dominant side creating chances. And the way we played was also different from what I was used to.

“In Germany and Turkey, the teams always played for me. I was the end of the line, while at United I mainly had to ensure that others could excel. I think I managed that very well. But whichever way you look at it, I would have liked to score much more often.”

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Weghorst paid the price for joining United in more ways than one. Signed by Burnley from Wolfsburg for £12million in January 2021, he was loaned to Besiktas when the Clarets were relegated.

But after helping Holland reach the World Cup quarter-finals in Qatar, the Red Devils came calling – and the Dutchman turned down a fortune offered by the Turkish club so he could realise his ambition of pulling on the famous red shirt. Weghorst revealed: “Things went very well at Besiktas and I was enjoying myself immensely there.

“One evening my agent Simon Cziommer called me. I was already in bed, rocking my daughter Daantje to sleep. But I answered the call and Simon said ‘there are two clubs interested in you.

“First he told me a story about Brentford – and then he suddenly shouted ‘Wout, United want you!’ I dropped the phone and burst into tears.

“My relationship with Besiktas’ sporting director was very good and I explained to him that it was my boyhood dream to play for Manchester United. He said he understood, but Besiktas kept coming up with more and more financial offers. I won’t mention any amounts, but believe me when I say that I lost a lot to make the transfer possible.”

Weghorst’s emotions got the better of him again when he watched United beat rivals City 2-1 in the Manchester derby while the deal was being sealed. He added: “I entered that magical stadium for the first time in my life and when I sat down in my seat, looked around and took in the chanting of the fans, it hit me hard.

“That was the moment when I realised this is my club now. Then I watched one of the greatest football matches on earth. Of course I had dreamed about this as a young boy. But to see it actually happen made me shiver.”

Weghorst played 31 times for United – often in a withdrawn midfield role – but his time at the club is tinged with regret. He admitted: “There was zero adjustment time. The pressure was bizarre and the physical strain greater than I had ever experienced.

“Only in the last few months did I feel I was really comfortable in it. Then I became myself and dared to throw off the shyness. In the period before that, maybe I was too humble.

“But I will never forget my goal at Old Trafford against Real Betis. The fans were super crazy about me because they also saw that I was doing everything for it. I’m quite proud that I got this far.”

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