Wout Weghorst explains Anfield sign controversy was to 'wind up' Virgil van Dijk ahead of Liverpool v Manchester United
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Updated 08/03/2023 at 10:04 GMT
After footage emerged of Manchester United's Wout Weghorst touching the 'This is Anfield' sign above the players' tunnel ahead of their humiliating 7-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool, the striker has said that he merely did it to try to put off Dutch international teammate Virgil van Dijk. The on-loan Burnley player also said his commitment to United "can never be questioned".
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Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst has said the reason he touched the 'This is Anfield' sign ahead of his side’s recent match at Liverpool was an attempt to "wind up" Virgil van Dijk.
The two Dutchmen are team-mates for their national team but were on opposite sides for the latest battle between the Premier League arch rivals.
Traditionally, touching the sign, which sits above the tunnel leading to the pitch at Anfield, is something home players would do as a superstition.
However, footage of Weghorst touching the sign emerged following the game, to much surprise, from United fans in particular.
The images wouldn’t have helped their collective mood having witnessed their side lose the match 7-0 – the club’s heaviest defeat for 92 years.
Weghorst, currently on loan from Championship side Burnley, has sought to clarify his actions, claiming it was an attempted form of mind games, and dispelling any suggestion he had any sort of personal attachment to Liverpool.
"Normally I never react on media topics,” he wrote on Instagram. “But for this one it's worth it because you amazing Manchester United fans are important to me. I just want to clarify the video that is doing the rounds.
"From the national team I know that Virgil always touches the 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 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 weeks. We will bounce back together and achieve our aims this season."
Weghorst, 30, joined United on a temporary deal from Burnley in the January transfer window and has scored one goal in 14 appearances.
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