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Wembley heartbreak for two Clarets but Weghorst helps Red Devils into Champions League

2023-05-30T07:30:00.000Z

LOAN WATCH

Wembley heartbreak for two Clarets but Weghorst helps Red Devils into Champions League

2023-05-30T07:30:00.000Z

Wembley heartbreak for two Clarets but Weghorst helps Red Devils into Champions League

Four Clarets players have been out on season-long loan deals across two countries and four leagues, including the Premier League, Scottish Premiership & Sky Bet Championship.

That tally includes one player from the academy here at the Club, with Bobby Thomas seeing his loan at Barnsley come to an end in heartbreaking fashion yesterday. At senior level though, Dutch international Wout Weghorst has helped Manchester United to seal a top-four finish.

Here’s a round-up of how the four loanees, in alphabetical order, have fared since our last edition of ‘Loan Watch’ on 22nd May.

Bobby Thomas (Barnsley)

As referenced above, defender Thomas’ loan came to a cruel end at Wembley in the Sky Bet League One play-off final yesterday afternoon, where the Tykes lost out 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday.

Having played since the 49th minute of the game a man down after ex-Claret Adam Phillips had been sent off, Thomas and the Tykes looked to be taking the tie all the way to penalties, but in the 123rd minute Josh Windass’ header won it for the Owls.

Thomas will now return to the Clarets having made 25 appearances and netted four goals for Michael Duff’s side since joining in January.

He spent the first half of the campaign elsewhere in the third tier with Bristol Rovers, for whom he played 26 times across all competitions and netted three goals.

CJ Egan-Riley (Hibernian)

At senior level, Egan-Riley’s campaign also ultimately ended in disappointment as Hibs missed out on a European spot in the Scottish Premiership.

Playing 65 minutes at left-back on Wednesday night, the versatile youngster had helped Lee Johnson’s side secure three valuable points against champions Celtic at Easter Road courtesy of a 4-2 win having trailed 2-1.

That victory took the race for Europe down to the last day, when a win away against Hearts would’ve seen Hibs leapfrog their city rivals and qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Injured, Egan-Riley couldn’t play any part in the derby though, and after a 1-1 draw, Hibs finished 5th with Hearts taking the European spot having ended the season two points better off. The youngster made 14 appearances during his loan spell north of the border, and he will now return to the Club.

Luke McNally (Coventry City)

Like fellow defender Thomas, it was to be play-off heartbreak in a cruel manner for McNally with Coventry, who lost the Sky Bet Championship play-off final on Saturday.

After a gruelling 120 minutes which ended level at 1-1, City’s Fankaty Dabo was the unlucky man from the spot as the Hatters ran out shootout successors by a 6-5 margin. Accordingly, Rob Edwards’ side will follow Burnley into the Premier League.

Irishman McNally meanwhile will now return to the Clarets with 22 appearances under his belt for Coventry during his loan spell, an ever-present since joining in January.

Wout Weghorst (Manchester United)

Ending on a high, striker Weghorst contributed to successive victories for United as they secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League next season.

The Dutchman was first an unused substitute in a 4-1 win against Chelsea on Thursday evening, meaning the pressure was off heading into Sunday’s final Premier League game of the campaign against Fulham at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag’s side again picked up three points courtesy of a 2-1 win against the Cottagers, completing a comeback having fallen behind early on, with Weghorst coming off the bench on 77 minutes to help see out the victory.

Finishing on 75 points, Weghorst – who has already won the Carabao Cup this term - helped the Red Devils to their best points tally in five seasons. He and his teammates now go in search of more silverware this weekend, facing rivals Manchester City at Wembley in the Emirates FA Cup final.

This week’s game: SAT – Manchester City (N – Emirates FA Cup Final)