Weghorst 'obviously not top level' but can be important for Man Utd - Keane

Stuart Telford

• 26 Jan 2023 12:38 GMT
• 3 min read

Wout Weghorst is already off the mark for Manchester United following his winter arrival from Burnley, via Besiktas. Former club captain Roy Keane has thrown his support behind the Dutchman.

Weghorst found the target for United in their 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the League Cup on Wednesday, following up on Antony's rebounded shot to steer beyond Wayne Hennesey with an instinctive finish.

United have been looking for a No.9 for some time with Erik ten Hag never trusting Cristiano Ronaldo even before he gave an unsanctioned interview to Piers Morgan and left on a free transfer to Al Nassr.

READ: Man Utd fans will love De Jong's reaction to Weghorst's first goal

Weghorst has only been signed on loan without an option to buy at the end of the season, and some scepticism remains after his two-goal season as Burnley were relegated from the Premier League last year, but Keane is in favour of the move.

Keane: 'Give the guy a chance!'

"Man United had to bring someone in," he told Sky Sports. "The manager made it clear, there was no money to spend. They lost Ronaldo, questions marks about Anthony Martial's fitness... so I can see why they gambled on him.

"I don't think he'll be a prolific goalscorer but if he pops up with the odd important goal like that and he helps Marcus [Rashford]... He's an international player - he's no mug!

READ: Why Weghorst chose Man Utd’s number 27 shirt

"The perception about him, because he struggled in a Burnley team that were having a difficult season, people kind of judge him on that. Give the guy a chance, he scored an important goal for United tonight. Good luck to him.

"There's a reason he came on loan, because he's obviously not top level. But the important thing is that the manager knows him well. You need characters in your dressing room."

Weghorst is valued at €18.7m by FoootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, and United could yet elect to test Burnley's will should Weghorst prove a success this season.