Manchester United’s worst defeat in Premier League history couldn’t have come against worse opposition but the Old Trafford faithful’s worst nightmare was realised last weekend.
Erik ten Hag’s men whimpered to a humiliating 7-0 defeat to their bitter rivals, ending any hopes the Reds had of staying in the title conversation for another couple of weeks.
United were in terrific form going into the game, losing just one game over the entirety of 2023. Ten Hag now faces the challenge of ensuring this does not unravel and that players respond on Thursday against Real Betis.
Wout Weghorst, one of three loan signings made in January, has started every single game since he joined the club from Burnley and the Dutchman was involved in a controversial moment just before kick-off against Liverpool.
Weghorst was spotted touching the ‘This is Anfield’ sign in the tunnel, as pictured above. A gesture usually reserved for Liverpool supporters as their own players even refrain from doing it until they have won a trophy.
As expected, fans were quick to share the moment on social media and now, Weghorst has issued a statement responding to the viral photo.
“Normally I never react on media topics, but for this one it’s worth it because you amazing (Manchester United) fans are important to me,” Weghorst wrote on Instagram.
“So I just want to clarify the video that is doing the rounds. From the National team I know that Virgial always touches that sign and the only intention I had was to stop him touching it and wind him up before the game.
“As a child I always supported FC Twente, and as a proud player now for Manchester United, my dedication to this incredible club can never be questioned. Sunday was a terrible day for all of us, we are putting everything into making it right in the next few weeks. We will bounce back together and achieve our aims this season.”
Weghorst has hardly put a foot wrong since joining the club and although his goalscoring record is not what some supporters would have expected, he is one of the hardest-working players.
He is highly likely to leave the club at the end of the season and hopefully, this will be long forgotten by the time the season draws to a close and United do indeed, as Weghorst promises, achieve their goals.