Wout Weghorst and girlfriend were ‘a bit SHOCKED’ when they heard United were making move for him

Wout Weghorst’s loan move to Manchester United came as a surprise to many, including his girlfriend Nikki who was apparently ‘ a bit shocked’ that the club were in for him.

The Dutch striker was effective at Turkish club Besiktas but scored just two goals in 20 appearances for Burnley as the club was relegated from the Premier League.

Despite that, Erik ten Hag has enlisted the former Claret for help at the No. 9 position for the rest of the season. 

He admitted his girlfriend was ‘a bit shocked’ at hearing of United’s interest in him

‘Over a week ago now. My agent called me actually for the first time and I was together with my girl, and she was a little bit shocked because she saw my face and I was like ‘oof,” Weghorst told the official United website.

The 30-year-old, who joined Burnley for £12 million last winter as the club looked to stave off the drop to the Championship, also admitted his first stint in the Premier League did not go to plan as he prepares to embark on a new challenge with United.

‘I also already have experience in the Premier League – that was not as successful as I hoped – and I am really waiting and looking forward to getting back here because, in my opinion, it is still the biggest competition in the world and now I’m going to play for one of the biggest clubs in England,’ he said.

Weghorst scored just twice for Burnely in the league as they were relegated last season

‘For me, [to play for] the biggest club is, of course, amazing, and as I’ve always said as a football player, and also as a human being, the stage I am at now, the [experience] that I have, I am ready for it. This is the right moment to take on this great challenge, of course.’  

‘For me, it was not done, it was not finished,’ he continued of playing in the Premier League. 

‘It didn’t work out the first time as I hoped and I’m really hungry to show myself, to help the team. Of course, we are on a really good track now. The last couple of weeks, months actually, it’s going really positive here and I just want to contribute and give my best and give my all for the club and I try to be a part of the successful [direction] we are going.

With Marcus Rashford often preferred on the left and Anthony Martial the only other recognized center forward in the squad, Weghorst should have a role to play as the team balances the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Europa League with the Premier League.

Weghorst returned to form at Besiktas, notching eight goals and four assists in 16 games

However, it remains to be seen just how effective Weghorst can be in that latter competition after an underwhelming stint last time around.

Weghorst reached 20 goals in the Bundesliga two years ago and left Besiktas scoring a goal every other game, but admitted the standard in England is something different. 

”After the Bundesliga I moved to the Premier League and I noticed it, you can see it, again it’s another level,’ he said. 

‘It’s just like the tempo is really high so that’s why I said also it’s the biggest competition in the world.’