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Weghorst explains why he took the No.27 shirt at Manchester United after completing a shock loan transfer.
Wout Weghorst has explained why he took the No.27 shirt at Manchester United, with the Dutch frontman eager to inherit a “striker’s number”.
The 30-year-old forward will provide the Red Devils’ attacking unit greater physical presence while also raising eyebrows when it was revealed that the Netherlands international was one of their main targets.
He may have struggled during a previous spell in the Premier League at Burnley, but a useful strike rate was boasted at AZ, Wolfsburg and during a loan stint at Besiktas and Weghorst considers himself to be a true No.9.
Explaining how that mindset saw him settle on No.27 at Old Trafford, Weghorst has told United’s official website: “Of course, I looked into the ones that are free or available. Two and seven will make nine, of course – a striker’s number. I had a feeling with it.”
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Said jersey was not technically up for grabs when Weghorst arrived in Manchester, as Alex Telles fills that spot in United’s squad, but the Brazilian left-back is currently on loan at Sevilla and gave his blessing for a new arrival at Old Trafford to take his shirt.
Weghorst added: “Of course, when I came here, I heard about it was Alex’s number, he got loaned out now. I first had to ask him if that was okay, so I said that was, for me, important and then, in the end, there was no problem so thanks to him also. So yeah, I go for the 27 and actually it’s just because I had a good feeling with it.”
Mikael Silvestre, Federico Macheda, and Marouane Fellaini have all worn the No. 27 shirt for United in the past, and Weghorst hopes to do the same when the Red Devils take on Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
On Sunday, the Red Devils will travel to the Emirates Stadium for a crucial matchup against Premier League leaders Arsenal.