Wout Weghorst is a penalty box poacher: Impressive statistics prove it

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Manchester United are aiming to secure the loan signing of Dutch striker Wout Weghorst, after Footmercato first broke the news last weekend.

A ‘deal in principle’ has been agreed, claim Sky Sports, with Besiktas looking to sign a replacement before agreeing to release him.

Weghorst did not train for the club yesterday, with his move to United a matter of when and not ‘if’ it will happen.

The 30-year-old striker is only a temporary solution for United on loan, but until the end of the season, he could be just what the club need.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023

Weghorst is a penalty box poacher

Outside of his unproductive stint at Burnley, Weghorst has a very good record, and the way he has scored his goals is very impressive.

A statistic reported by Statman Dave via Twitter reveals: “In domestic league football, Wout Weghorst has scored 125 goals with just 1 coming from outside the box.”

Weghorst is a penalty box striker, which is exactly what Erik ten Hag is searching for, looking to find a goalscorer to add to his team.

United have built a strong defence, and while the goals have increased lately, the team has scored only 27 goals in 17 Premier League games, fewer than Brighton, Brentford and Fulham.

The team is creating chances, Bruno Fernandes has seen several go to waste, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro are both carving out opportunities, while Fred even created four goalscoring chances in the midweek win.

What has been missing is a poacher to put away those chances. Even if Anthony Martial hits form, he has never really been what you could class as a penalty box predator.

Weghorst does have a strong record, and if the deal can get over the line, then Manchester United will be a stronger side for having him available, even as an ‘off the bench’ option.

• WOUT WEGHORST: Factfile
• Weghorst scored 70 goals for Wolfsburg, becoming the first Dutch player since Van Persie to score 20 league goals in a top European league.
• Only Robert Lewandowski scored more Bundesliga goals than Weghorst between 2018 and 2021.
• The Netherlands international forward scored 8 goals in 16 games for Besiktas and provided four assists.
• Weghorst is 6ft 6″ and scored two goals in the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.
• He has scored more club career goals than any current Manchester United player.