Wout Weghorst has revealed why he took the No.27 shirt at Manchester United, with the Dutch frontman eager to inherit a “striker’s number”.
WHAT HAPPENED? Eyebrows were raised when it emerged that the Netherlands international had been identified as a top target for the Red Devils, but the 30-year-old forward will add more physical presence to the Red Devils’ attacking unit. He may have struggled during a previous spell in the Premier League at Burnley, but a useful strike rate was boasted at AZ, Wolfsburg and during a loan stint at Besiktas and Weghorst considers himself to be a true No.9.
WHAT THEY SAID: Explaining how that mindset saw him settle on No.27 at Old Trafford, Weghorst has told United’s official website: “Of course, I looked into the ones that are free or available. Two and seven will make nine, of course – a striker’s number. I had a feeling with it.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Said jersey was not technically up for grabs when Weghorst arrived in Manchester, as Alex Telles fills that spot in United’s squad, but the Brazilian left-back is currently on loan at Sevilla and gave his blessing for a new arrival at Old Trafford to take his shirt. Weghorst added: “Of course, when I came here, I heard about it was Alex’s number, he got loaned out now. I first had to ask him if that was okay, so I said that was, for me, important and then, in the end, there was no problem so thanks to him also. So yeah, I go for the 27 and actually it’s just because I had a good feeling with it.”
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