Not No.7 or 14 – Manchester United reveal Wout Weghorst shirt number as Dutch star completes his loan move

Man United is anticipated to recruit a loan striker during this month’s transfer window, and numerous numbers are available.

Manchester United is aiming to acquire a new striker in the January transfer window, with Erik ten Hag eager to bolster his attacking options.

With Cristiano Ronaldo leaving by mutual consent in November, the Reds are down to one recognized striker in Anthony Martial. The Frenchman has been brilliant for United this season, scoring five goals in 12 games, but he has already missed 15 games due to injury.

The Reds have been impressive in recent months, and they presently sit fourth in the Premier League table, one game ahead of third-placed Newcastle United. Ten Hag’s men are still in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and Europa League, with a play-off encounter against the Catalan giants scheduled for February.

Marcus Rashford is having a fantastic individual season, but he is playing on the left wing, and the club still believes that they need to sign a striker during this month’s transfer window to provide attacking support. If the Reds want to sign a frontman, they will look to the loan market, with Wout Weghorst joining on loan from Burnley until the end of the season being one option.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Erik ten Hag’s team is moving forward with a possible loan transfer for the 30-year-old attacker during the winter window, while the player celebrated scoring for Besiktas on Saturday by waving ‘goodbye’ to fans. Besiktas have the option to buy Weghorst for €10 million (£8.82 million) at the conclusion of the season, so any potential transfer for the Claret would require the club’s approval to breach the current agreement.

Weghorst has worn a variety of jersey numbers throughout his career, beginning as 28 for FC Emmen before becoming their No.9. He was given the number 19 when he arrived at Heracles before reclaiming it at AZ Alkmaar, Wolfsburg, and Burnley.

The Netherlands international has worn No.10 for Besiktas this season while being assigned 14 and 19 for his country.

Joao Felix of Atletico Madrid has also been extensively linked with a move to Old Trafford. Due to his difficult relationship with manager Diego Simeone, the Portuguese forward is reportedly open to quitting the La Liga club. Despite being in his fourth season with Atletico Madrid after joining from Benfica in a transaction for more than £100 million in 2019, he looks set to leave at some point this year.

Felix has only scored 34 goals in 130 Atletico Madrid games, including five this season. He is still highly respected at Old Trafford and is said to be one of several players the club is keeping an eye on this month. According to reports from Portugal, United is ready to hand’ Felix the legendary number 7 shirt if he joins the club, with A Bola reporting that the club’s CEO, Richard Arnold, has told the player that the jersey is ready for him’.

Ten Hag is almost certain to sign a striker this month, even if he misses out on Weghorst and Felix. When they arrive, they must determine whether or not to take the unoccupied number 7. In reality, an incoming assailant would only have the following options: 7, 13, 15, 16, 24, 26, 27, or 30.

Anthony Martial is presently No.9 at Manchester United, Marcus Rashford is No.10, Raphael Varane is No.19, and Facundo Pellistri is No.28. It means Weghorst will be unable to wear any of the numbers he has previously worn during his playing career at Old Trafford.

If Felix moves to Old Trafford, he will be able to keep the No.7 shirt for the foreseeable future. The Portuguese player presently wears the same number for Atletico Madrid, but with the Spanish club demanding a huge loan fee, the likelihood of a trade appears to be dwindling by the day.