Manchester United icon Ruud van Nistelrooy has given Wout Weghorst a glowing endorsement and is "convinced" the Dutch striker will be a hit at Old Trafford following his surprise loan switch.
Erik ten Hag has been scouring the transfer market for attacking reinforcements after Cristiano Ronaldo left the club last month and Weghorst, 30, emerged as a target at the start of the January transfer window.
The Burnley forward scored just twice after joining the Clarets last January in a £12million deal from Wolfsburg but caught the eye for Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar. He also impressed during the first half of the season on loan at Besiktas, where he scored nine goals in 18 outings.
United's swoop for Weghorst has raised eyebrows in some quarters following the Dutchman's underwhelming spell at Turf Moor, where he was unable to save the Clarets from relegation after arriving in a big-money deal. But Van Nistelrooy, who plundered 150 goals in 219 appearances for United during his illustrious playing career, has backed Weghorst to silence the doubters by delivering the goods during his temporary spell at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Voetbal International, Van Nistelrooy said: "I think Wout has so much character and qualities that he will stand there. I experienced him with the Oranje. He’s just a whopper of a guy, with an incredibly competitive character. We also saw that at the World Cup.
"Wout is ready for such a step. And he will make his contribution there, I am 100 per cent convinced of that. He has the qualities to make an impact at United."
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United confirmed that a deal had been concluded for Weghorst on Friday night. However, the big striker was not registered in time to face Manchester City in the Manchester Derby on Saturday.
Manchester United are paying Burnley a loan fee of £2.6m to take Weghorst for the remainder of the season, with the Clarets paying €2.8m (£2.5m) to Besiktas as compensation after curtailing their season-long agreement with the Turkish giants. There is no obligation or option for United to make the move permanent.
Reacting after the transfer was confirmed, Weghorst expressed his delight at the move and insisted that he was eager to play a part in the club's renaissance under Ten Hag. "I feel privileged to be joining Manchester United," Weghorst said on Friday night.
"I've played against the club in the past and it's a fantastic feeling to now have the chance to pull on the famous red shirt. I've seen United's progress under Erik ten Hag this season and can't wait to start playing my part in pushing the team towards its aims."
