Wout Weghorst Gives a Bizarre Reason for Touching the Anfield Sign ahead of Man United' 7-0 Loss--
- last year
Wout Weghorst has given a left-field reason for touching the 'This is Anfield' sign despite being a Manchester United player.
Furious United fans condemned Weghorst after he was filmed touching the iconic sign in the tunnel ahead of their 7-0 hammering by bitter rivals Liverpool.
United supporters were far from pleased with their new star's antics on what turned out to be a dismal afternoon for Erik ten Hag's side, with Weghorst adding further insult to injury.
Liverpool players regularly reach up to touch the famous sign on their way out to the pitch, but the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Trent Alexander-Arnold found themselves in the odd position being joined by a rival.
In a story posted on Instagram, the Dutchman has now claimed he touched the sign to 'wind up' an opponent by stopping him from completing his usual ritual.
'From the national team, I know that Virgil van Dijk always touches that sign', he said.
'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.'
Despite this claim, the Dutch striker has been vocal in the past about being a boyhood Reds fan but some incensed United supporters believe the new footage is enough evidence to have his loan terminated.
One particularly furious supporter wrote: 'I don't care about his carabao cup pics anymore. He has to leave the club at the end of his 6 months. THIS VIDEO is enough to let him go. How the hell can you touch the Anfield sign as a MAN UNITED player?'
A second agreed, stating: 'Terminate his contract.'
For a third fan, the humbling result was a result of superstition, claiming: 'Now that 7-0 makes more sense you never touch that sign as a rival team always ends badly.'
And a fourth had changed their opinions of the big center-forward, adding: 'Disgusting, was starting to like the bloke.'
Weghorst joined United on a six-month loan in January and is set to return to parent club Burnley after his loan at Besiktas was terminated to facilitate the short-term move from Turf Moor to Old Trafford.
And although he described his switch to the Red Devils as a 'dream come true' in January, the hard work he has done to endear himself with the United faithful now looks to be undone.
'I always found Liverpool very special. I still get goosebumps from 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. There are other great English clubs too, and I always liked Milan because so many Dutch played there,' Weghorst told DAZN in 2020.
And in 2018, he told De Telegraaf: 'I've dreamt of [playing for Liverpool] since childhood.'
As a boyhood Reds fan, Weghorst would have been aware of the deep-rooted rivalry between two of the country's historically most successful clubs, however, Sunday's game seems to have seen a momentary lapse in judgment.
And that lapse has left some fans contending that their side was doomed
Furious United fans condemned Weghorst after he was filmed touching the iconic sign in the tunnel ahead of their 7-0 hammering by bitter rivals Liverpool.
United supporters were far from pleased with their new star's antics on what turned out to be a dismal afternoon for Erik ten Hag's side, with Weghorst adding further insult to injury.
Liverpool players regularly reach up to touch the famous sign on their way out to the pitch, but the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Trent Alexander-Arnold found themselves in the odd position being joined by a rival.
In a story posted on Instagram, the Dutchman has now claimed he touched the sign to 'wind up' an opponent by stopping him from completing his usual ritual.
'From the national team, I know that Virgil van Dijk always touches that sign', he said.
'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.'
Despite this claim, the Dutch striker has been vocal in the past about being a boyhood Reds fan but some incensed United supporters believe the new footage is enough evidence to have his loan terminated.
One particularly furious supporter wrote: 'I don't care about his carabao cup pics anymore. He has to leave the club at the end of his 6 months. THIS VIDEO is enough to let him go. How the hell can you touch the Anfield sign as a MAN UNITED player?'
A second agreed, stating: 'Terminate his contract.'
For a third fan, the humbling result was a result of superstition, claiming: 'Now that 7-0 makes more sense you never touch that sign as a rival team always ends badly.'
And a fourth had changed their opinions of the big center-forward, adding: 'Disgusting, was starting to like the bloke.'
Weghorst joined United on a six-month loan in January and is set to return to parent club Burnley after his loan at Besiktas was terminated to facilitate the short-term move from Turf Moor to Old Trafford.
And although he described his switch to the Red Devils as a 'dream come true' in January, the hard work he has done to endear himself with the United faithful now looks to be undone.
'I always found Liverpool very special. I still get goosebumps from 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. There are other great English clubs too, and I always liked Milan because so many Dutch played there,' Weghorst told DAZN in 2020.
And in 2018, he told De Telegraaf: 'I've dreamt of [playing for Liverpool] since childhood.'
As a boyhood Reds fan, Weghorst would have been aware of the deep-rooted rivalry between two of the country's historically most successful clubs, however, Sunday's game seems to have seen a momentary lapse in judgment.
And that lapse has left some fans contending that their side was doomed