Before Thursday's Europa League match between Manchester United and Barcelona, Frenkie de Jong said that Wout Weghorst had promised to try to ruin his performance.
With Marcus Rashford up front as the striker, Weghorst was requested to play a more profound role at 10. The Dutchman was still given a chance to score, but he blew a one-on-one opportunity in minute 28 when he fired his attempt directly at Andre ter Stegen. The loanee striker was asked to link up the play, ending the game by completing nine of his 14 passes (64 per cent) and winning none of his six aerial duels. De Jong completed 40 of his 45 passes (89 per cent), made two tackles and had 55 touches - more than double what Weghorst did, albeit the United attacker was playing in an unfamiliar position.
He was instructed to keep an eye on De Jong, who in December helped the Netherlands advance to the World Cup quarterfinals alongside Weghorst. Before Thursday's game, they restored their bond, and De Jong recounted what Weghorst had told him.
The Nou Camp star told ESPN: “He already said it in the tunnel before the game: “I’m going to get in your way!” And he did a good job.” Weghorst said about his role change following the game: “[The midfield] is very important for them to shift the game. So mSo my job was to constantly get in their way and annoy them so they didn’t get into their game and could play the way they liked to. And to be able to make my depth actions offensively from the second line because they are vulnerable. You saw that in the first half.
“I had never been there, I only wanted to come here if I could play football. It was a special day, I did enjoy it, it was beautiful.”
United are still interested in signing him.
The 25-year-old has stated openly that he prefers to remain at Barcelona and has subsequently achieved an understanding of the team's wage deferral problem, which had previously proven to be a sticking point in negotiations.
Since joining United in January, Weghorst has appeared in nine games, although he has scored just once. There are no obligations or buyout rights under his loan agreement.