Former Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst is booed on Burnley return

Former Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst came on as a late substitution for Burnley during their 2-0 defeat to Genk on July 22.

Former Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst received jeers and boos as he made his return for parent club Burnley on Saturday.

The Dutch forward came on for the last 10 minutes of their preseason fixture with Belgian side Genk but was unable to make an impact as the Clarets lost 2-0. However, on Twitter one of the major talking points was the reception Weghorst received from his own supporters.

Weghorst was greeted with boos as he entered the field and some reports from fans in attendance claimed he was jeered each time he touched the ball. The 30-year-old earned a poor reception from his parent club’s supporters after he chose to leave Burnley following their relegation to the Championship.

Initially, he joined Besiktas but would make the switch to United in January as they looked to fill the gap left behind by Cristiano Ronaldo in November. Weghorst’s time at Old Trafford was no great success though as he scored just twice in all competitions but he did pick up a League Cup winners medal.

Upon the end of his loan spell, Weghorst returned to Turf Moor with Erik ten Hag not choosing to explore the opportunity of signing him permanently. In May, his manager Vincent Kompany announced he would have talks with Weghorst upon his return to the club regarding his future.

While no decision has been published on his future, Weghorst’s cameo in the Genk defeat would suggest he is being looked at ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League. Although plenty of Burnley fans are unhappy with the striker’s behavior last season, many on social media deemed his treatment from fellow supporters was unfair.

This clearly wasn’t going to end well and on August 9, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim signed Weghorst on a season-long loan. This move could work well for him.

As of September 2021, Weghorst had enjoyed notable success in the Bundesliga with VfL Wolfsburg. Here are some key points about his impact and performance in the German top flight:

Arrival in Wolfsburg: Wout Weghorst signed for VfL Wolfsburg from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2018.

Consistent Goalscorer: From the time of his arrival at Wolfsburg, Weghorst quickly established himself as a consistent goalscorer for the club. He became the team’s top striker, netting numerous goals in each season and playing a pivotal role in the club’s Bundesliga campaigns.

Physical Presence: At 6’6” (198 cm), Weghorst is known for his aerial prowess and physicality, which made him a constant threat in the box. This not only made him effective in scoring headers but also in holding the ball up and creating opportunities for his teammates.

Integral to Wolfsburg’s European Qualifications: Thanks to his goals and contributions, Wolfsburg was able to qualify for European competitions during his tenure with the club.

Team Leadership: Beyond his contributions on the scoresheet, Weghorst was also an influential figure in the dressing room, often showing leadership on and off the pitch.