I was signed by Erik ten Hag for Man Utd… his tactics were to blame for my struggles
FORMER Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst has sensationally blamed Erik ten Hag for his struggles while on loan at United last season.
The Dutch forward was a surprise signing from Burnley following a successful 2022 World Cup with Holland.
He managed just two goals and three assists in his 31 appearances for United and the club opted not to make the deal permanent.
Instead, he joined Bundesliga club Hoffenheim and has four goals and one assist in 14 games for his new team.
Despite his poor scoring record for United he has defended his involvement with the side.
In an interview with The Mirror he said: “[When I signed] 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.”
He has, however, admitted that he should have notched more goals: “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.”
Weghorst was on loan at Besiktas when United came knocking, and he admitted that the call from the Red Devils felt like a dream.
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He said: “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.”
He said a close relationship with Besiktas’ sporting director allowed him to switch from the Turkish league to the Red Devils: “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 explained that his emotions came to the fore when he watched his new club play for the first time against Manchester City: “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.”