Manchester United have made their seventh signing of the Erik ten Haag era with the arrival of Dutch forward Wout Weghorst. The 30-year-old striker has played in many countries throughout his career, but his brightest performance was in Germany, where he scored 59 Bundesliga goals in 118 games. Weghorst’s transfer was officially announced yesterday after an agreement was reached between Besiktas, Burnley and United.
The question now is whether Weghorst will become a potential Ighalo-esque disaster or a low-risk (financially) experienced goalscorer. To better understand Weghorst’s qualities, his ability to play at Old Trafford and whether he can flourish under Erik ten Hag from a German perspective, we spoke to Marie Schulte-Bokum, football journalist and Bundesliga expert.
Schulte-Bokum described Weghorst as a “one-dimensional goal” but added that this is actually a good thing, as it has become a bit of a rarity in modern football. She also praised his technique, noting that it is better than one would expect given his height. Weghorst’s ability to play in Wolfsburg’s style of play was also discussed, with Schulte-Bokum noting that the club didn’t need to adapt their style of play in accordance with Weghorst’s qualities.
The six-month loan was also discussed, with Schulte-Bokum noting that it is a risk, given the chaos that seems to be surrounding Manchester United at the moment. However, she also noted that the only advantage United have in this particular deal is that Erik ten Hoog is Dutch and he may be able to get the best out of Weghorst. She also discussed the transition of (former) Bundesliga players to Premier League football, noting that it is difficult to draw conclusions as some of the promising players, such as Jaden Sancho from Manchester United, did not live up to expectations.
Finally, Schulte-Bokum discussed what Ten Hag brought with him from Munich to Manchester, noting that he is a good communicator and works well with young players. She also noted that he is probably better at dealing with the older generation, which could be an advantage for Manchester United.
A reason to remain optimistic, but also a reason to be cautious. However, due to Anthony Martial’s constant struggle with injuries and lack of form, Weghorst can be relied on more than can be expected. His role as an ideal target is expected to come in handy for one of the top scoring teams in the top half of the table.
One thing is clear: if Ten witch could be up to the difficult task of unlocking the ability Weghorst has shown during his time in the Bundesliga, the Dutch centre-forward could prove to be an excellent strike option for United’s current attacking line lacking in variety.
Watt Weghorst is officially a Manchester United player; the seventh signing of Erik ten Haag’s reign.
The club announced his transfer yesterday after an agreement was reached between Besiktas, Burnley and United. United paid Besiktas, who had a €10 million buyout clause in the original loan deal, €2,850,000 as compensation for ending Weghorst’s contract.
The Dutch forward will stay at Old Trafford until June 30.
The 30-year-old Weghorst has played in many countries throughout his career, starting with the Netherlands and ending with Turkey.
However, the striker’s brightest performance was in Germany. After scoring 59 Bundesliga goals in 118 games, he earned a reputation as a clinical finisher.
However, with such a desperate loan deal, could Wegorst become a potential Ighalo-esque disaster or a low-risk (financially) experienced goalscorer?
For better understanding of Weghorst qualities, his ability to play at Old Trafford and whether he can flourish under Erik ten Hag from a German perspective, we spoke to Marie Schulte-Bokum, football journalist and Bundesliga expert.
How would you best describe Wout Weghorst?
“I would say he’s that one-dimensional goal, but I actually think that’s a good thing and it’s become a bit of a rarity, as we saw at the World Cup – who knows how far Germany would go in the world. Cup with the chances they created if they had the right target player in the box like Woot Weghorst? So I really think that’s one of his strengths.
“In terms of dynamics, I’d say his technique is a lot better than one would expect given his height. He scored some nice kicks on the bike and such.
“I think he will definitely be an asset to Manchester United.
Did Wolfsburg have to adapt their style of play to Weghorst’s qualities?
“I would say Wolfsburg didn’t need to adapt their style of play [in accordance with Weghorst’s qualities]because Wolfsburg traditionally play with this type of central striker (eg Edin Dzeko).
“Actually, since Weghorst left, they’ve had a lot of problems because they don’t have that type of striker anymore. They tried Luca Waldschmidt, and recently they tried two people.
“But I really think they miss that type of player and they miss Weghorst a lot.”
Do you think this six month loan will be successful?
“I would say it’s a risk – a six-month loan – because Manchester United is a club where a lot of coaches and players who I thought were doing very well in the Premier League are struggling; people like Ralf Rangnick and Bastian Schweinsteiger. The club seems to be in chaos.
“I think the only advantage they have in this particular deal is of course that Erik ten Hoog is Dutch and maybe he can get the best out of Woot Weghorst. Then when you have the club and the fans, the fans on your side, anything can happen.”
What is your general opinion on the transition of (former) Bundesliga players to Premier League football?
“It is difficult to draw conclusions about the transfer of players from the Bundesliga to the Premier League because some of the promising players, such as Jaden Sancho from Manchester United, did not live up to expectations.
“I would say maybe even the defenders were better, we saw the Bochum defender [Armel Bella-Kotschap] go to Southampton and make the German national team for the World Cup this year.
“Maybe tactically they are well trained to play in the Premier League. But I’d say the attacking players – who always lead the way – are more of a struggle for them, with the notable exception of Erling Haaland!”
What do you think Ten Hag brought with him from Munich to Manchester?
“I think at Bayern he learned to work very well with young players at the Bayern campus and now Bayern have a really good academy. The Bayern players who worked with him in the second team, in Germany’s third division, all speak highly of him.
“So I think he’s a good communicator – whether he’s always been like that or whether he picked it up at Bayern I don’t know – but he seems to work very well with young players, which of course is sometimes a problem. The problem at Manchester United, for example, is with Jose Mourinho, who is probably better at dealing with the older generation.
A reason to remain optimistic, but also a reason to be cautious. However, due to Anthony Martial’s constant struggle with injuries and lack of form, Weghorst can be relied on more than can be expected. His role as an ideal target is expected to come in handy for one of the top scoring teams in the top half of the table.
One thing is clear: if Ten witch could be up to the difficult task of unlocking the ability Weghorst has shown during his time in the Bundesliga, the Dutch centre-forward could prove to be an excellent strike option for United’s current attacking line lacking in variety.
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