January signing brings a lot more than just goals for Man Utd - opinion
Amidst a tumultuous time when Manchester United looks set to be undergoing a takeover, the club has made some crucial signings. One of those happens to be Wout Weghorst. The Dutch international was brought in by Erik ten Hag on loan from Besiktas during the January transfer window.
Since arriving at Old Trafford, Weghorst has only scored one goal in all competitions. Questions have now arisen that the forward may not have been the best signing, given how little he has contributed in his primary role.
The Dutch international has been employed in several positions, even going as far as to play a central midfield role against Barcelona on Thursday. Critics have also often come to the defence of Weghorst, stating that Ten Hag knows the profile he has brought in and how much he can contribute to the team.
Despite the varied take on the impact of the Dutchman, Ten Hag seems to be preferring him as Weghorst has started in five straight games in the league. The 30-year-old delivers across several areas on the pitch and is a big bonus with regard to how the manager wants to set up his United squad.
Wout Weghorst is contributing across several areas on the pitch for Manchester United
Weghorst’s arrival into the United squad has brought some important qualities that seemed to have been lacking in previous strikers such as Cristiano Ronaldo. Whether it be pressing out of the opponents’ half or going into a central midfield role to play a defensive role, the Dutch international has done it all.
During the February 9 game against Leeds United, Weghorst was employed in a number 10 role for the first time. After being 2-0 down, the Red Devils came back to draw the match 2-2. In the final stages of the game, Weghorst was shifted to the midfield role, with Marcus Rashford playing as a forward and Bruno Fernandes moving to the right wing.
The Burnley loanee shined in the role, creating openings and winning duels, which resulted in the equaliser from Jadon Sancho.
Wout Weghorst also shone in a more reserved role against Barcelona, where he pitched in at the heart of the midfield to deal with attacking threats. He has also been doing well in pressing, where the team requires him to dissolve counter-attacking threats immediately.
Despite an abysmal showing as a forward with only 27 touches and 64 per cent passing accuracy, Weghorst won three out of seven ground duels and had three clearances, one blocked shot, one interception, and three tackles against Barcelona.
The striker also impressed with his pressing, often limiting the movement and passing of the Catalans’ star midfielder Frenkie de Jong. However, his inability to win any of his six attempted aerial duels has cast a shadow over his game.
As per Sky Sports, since January 17, 2023, he sits third on the list of most presses, only behind Dejan Kulusevski and Erling Haaland. The Dutchman has on several occasions found himself as a creative outlet, with one such ball coming for Alejandro Garnacho in Manchester United’s 2-0 win against Leeds on February 12.
With the striker becoming a staple of Erik ten Hag’s plans at Old Trafford, a plethora of roles seems to be awaiting Wout Weghorst. One such role is to open up spaces for Marcus Rashford to make runs into the opposition penalty area.
Making use of his 1.97-metre stature, Weghorst takes out defenders with his out-of-position running, enabling Rashford to capitalise on his great run of form and score his goals.
Sometimes in football, the nuances matter more than what is on the scoresheet, and Wout Weghorst seems to be proving that theory right.
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