Man Utd won't sign Wout Weghorst on a permanent basis

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 22 Feb 2023 19:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United are reportedly unwilling to sign Wout Weghorst on a permanent basis when his loan deal expires.

The Red Devils brought in the striker to take over the role held previously by Cristiano Ronaldo.

His attacking output hasn’t quite been up to scratch so far, while now Football Insider are reporting that Weghorst is likely to return to Burnley upon the end of the campaign.

The Dutch striker was brought in the January transfer window after Erik ten Hag dealt with the exit of Ronaldo. At the time, the club were only willing to allow the manager to look to the loan market.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Ten Hag's £350m Man Utd summer transfer plans already taking shape

Weghorst actively pushed for the move and he and the club reached an agreement with Besiktas, who allowed him to terminate his loan spell early and make the switch to Old Trafford.

The veteran attacker made 10 consecutive starts for the Red Devils due to Anthony Martial being injured - but he has found the net just once during that time, as well as providing a single assist.

It comes after Ten Hag played Weghorst as a No.10 in the club’s tie against Barcelona in the first leg of their Europa League play-off.

Weghorst taken out of No.9 role

The coach explained the reasons for the switch after the 2-2 draw, telling reporters: "It's more tactical but also to get some other players in good positions in the whole front three; Bruno, Rashy and Jadon," Ten Hag explained. "But also to get a good press on and I think the plan worked well.

"Other players can score: Bruno, Jadon, they can score as well. Wout of course can score as well and they will score. But in the end, it doesn't matter who scores but in such a game, when you create five or seven 100% chances you have to finish that more, it's quite clear."