I blame Erik ten Hag for souring my Man United dream - it was never about me

Former Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst has opened up on his time with the club and stated that his failure to make his mark was down to the tactics utilised by former boss Erik ten Hag.

United sent shockwaves through the Premier League when they recruited the 6ft 6ins striker from Burnley on a loan deal in January 2023. Following a brief loan spell at Besiktas, Weghorst then joined Ten Hag at United during a time when his side were looking to plug the gap left by Cristiano Ronaldo's departure.

Weghost managed just two goals during his six-month stay at Old Trafford, neither of which came in the Premier League. However, he did win the Carabao Cup with the Red Devils and assisted Marcus Rashford in the final against Newcastle.

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Despite winning his only major trophy with United, the Dutch international has since revealed that his lack of goals came down to the system employed by his then-manager. He also claimed that he was used as a foil to get the best out of others on the pitch.

"They were super successful months in which we hardly lost," Weghorst said. "I was also very important for the team as both a focal point of play and the 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.”

Weghorst spoke candidly about turning down a highly lucrative offer from Besiktas following a stint in which he scored nine goals in 18 games. Despite the allure of riches from Turkey, after the striker helped the Netherlands reach the World Cup quarter-finals in Qatar, United had identified their man.

“Things went very well at Besiktas and I was enjoying myself immensely there," the forward added. “One evening my agent Simon Cziommer called me. 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 attachment to United was such that he lifted the lid on how his emotions got the better of him when he watched United beat rivals City 2-1 in the Manchester derby while his transfer was being sealed. He said: "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 and was often deployed in a lone striker role. However he looks upon his time at the club as bittersweet. 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.”

Upon leaving the club in the summer of 2023, Weghost put his love for United, and thanks to their fans, on record. Alongside a video compilation of his time with United, he said: "Dear Man United fans, thanks for everything. I really enjoyed every single second at this club, from winning silverware to scoring my first goal against Betis at Old Trafford.

"Dreams came true. Unbelievably proud to wear the badge. I wish you all the best for the future. Man United fans, thank you very much." Weghorst now plays his football in his home country with Ajax following a loan at German club Hoffenheim.