Man Utd fans SLAM Erik ten Hag’s tactical switch for West Ham clash as Weghorst’s role leaves them baffled
BAFFLED Manchester United fans slammed Erik ten Hag’s tactical tweaks at West Ham.
The Red Devils boss opted to start Wout Weghorst for the trip to the London Stadium.
But rather than playing the giant forward up front as a traditional No9, Ten Hag deployed him in the hole as a No10.
That saw Marcus Rashford lead the line with Bruno Fernandes pushed out wide on the left and Antony on the other side.
Quizzed on whether the peculiar selection was down to West Ham’s physical approach, Ten Hag said: “You understand what management is, but yes absolutely.
“His height, good header, he wants to run, and especially it’s about the long balls, second balls, and Wout is good in such moments.”
However, the decision left United supporters watching on at home furious – especially with Weghorst’s difficulty winning aerial duels throughout his time on loan at the club from Burnley.
And plenty piled in on social media lamenting their manager’s call.
One said: “Ten Hag started Weghorst ‘because of height’ and that brother hasn’t won any aerial balls since.”
Another wrote: “I really will never understand why Ten Hag sticks Bruno out on the wing to accommodate Weghorst.”
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A third added: “I love Ten Hag but I don’t get the man’s obsession with playing Weghorst as the No10.”
A fourth typed: “Weghorst on my life is the worst player I’ve ever seen. Get Ten Hag out now.”
And a final user commented: “Well done Ten Hag. We’re playing with ten men, take Weghorst off he’s useless in this role.”
Eventually, the moaning Red Devils supporters got their wishes when Ten Hag hauled the ineffective Weghorst off on 57 minutes and sent Anthony Martial on.
But the mood among United fans had already been worsened even further by a David De Gea shocker in the first half.
The blundering goalkeeper inexplicably let a tame Said Benrahma shot from the edge of the area somehow slip through his fingers and trundled agonisingly over the line to put the Hammers ahead.
That proved to be the only goal of the game and could deal United a major blow in their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
It could have been a heavier defeat – but West Ham were denied a penalty despite the ball striking the arm of Victor Lindelof in the area.