The Dutch legend is not convinced the forward is the right man for United (Pictures: Getty)
Wesley Sneijder has questioned Manchester United’s ‘very strange’ move for Wout Weghorst and is not convinced he is good enough for the Red Devils.
The Netherlands international has emerged as a shock target for United as Erik ten Hag looks to reinforce his depleted attacking options in the January window – though he has been limited to loan signings and free transfers.
Weghorst has enjoyed an excellent campaign on loan at Besiktas from Burnley, though the Turkish side are reluctant to release him from his contract so he can move to Old Trafford.
Given how complicated the deal is becoming, Sneijder feels the move makes little sense for United while he also has significant doubts over the level of impact the 30-year-old is likely to make back in the Premier League.
Asked about Weghorst’s potential move to Old Trafford on Dutch football show Veronica Offside, Sneijder responded: ‘Surely not! I would find that very strange.
‘Maybe they’ve seen the trick with the free-kick [in the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina] but I don’t think they fall for that in England anymore!
‘In terms of a striker, is he really someone United are waiting for? I don’t think so.’
The Dutch striker has eight goals in 16 Super Lig appearances (Picture: Getty)
Weghorst was dubbed a ‘crowbar’ by another of the studio guests – a Plan B type weapon that could provide something different for United’s attack – but Sneijder was still not convinced.
‘They still have about 300 of those in the Premier League,’ he added. ‘It must be a stunt. This really can’t be true.’
Sneijder is not the only former Netherlands star to be perplexed by United’s swoop for Weghorst, with Pierre van Hooijdonk also questioning just how suited the towering forward is to Ten Hag’s style of play.
‘I think it’s quite a dangerous move by Ten Hag,’ said the former striker on Studio Voetbal.
‘A Dutchman, who already played in England with Burnley and didn’t exactly play like a rockstar there. That does leave a mark. I don’t see him as a battering ram for United, or a focal point in the air.
‘They are not going to suddenly start playing everything diagonally through the air for Wout, I don’t believe that.’
Ibrahim Afellay agreed, saying: ‘He’s a player you bring on if you really need to force something, but I think Manchester United should be able to do more than just play high balls in the last 15 minutes of matches.’
MORE : Besiktas release statement on Wout Weghorst after rejecting Man Utd’s approach
MORE : Rio Ferdinand urges Manchester United to sign Porto striker Mehdi Taremi ahead of Wout Weghorst
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The Dutch legend is not convinced Weghorst is the right man for United.
