Rio Ferdinand, a former defender for Manchester United, believes Wout Weghorst is not the ideal No. 10 for the Red Devils.

Weghorst has drawn criticism for failing to make an impression since moving to Old Trafford on loan.

Weghorst has only managed two goals and three assists for the team, and Ferdinand believes that he has both the creativity and play-linking skills necessary to succeed as Manchester United’s starting No. 10.

“I just think Man Utd’s No.10, a top team’s No.10 doesn’t look like a Weghorst in my eyes,” he told BT Sport. “Let’s look at it another way, if I’m [Jadon] Sancho, Bruno [Fernandes], [Alejandro] Garnacho, Martial and I’m sitting there watching him line-up as a no.10 in front of me, the no.10 shirt means something else, it’s a player that can create, has got guile, can get between the lines and get on the half turn and bring other people into play in that sense and get goals. He doesn’t offer all those things I’ve just said there… I think his best piece of play today was a tackle in his own box. That’s a no.10 – that’s not what no.10s are known for doing.”

Weghorst will leave Manchester United at the end of the current campaign since it is unlikely that he will secure a permanent deal with the club.

Ten Hag has made it obvious that he does want to add a goal scorer before the new season begins.

Prior to the summer transfer season, Harry Kane of Tottenham, Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt, and Victor Osimhen of Napoli are all said to be targeted.

Ten Hag’s team will want to beat Wolves on Saturday at Old Trafford to return to winning ways in the Premier League.

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On the eve of their Europa League match against Sevilla, Manchester United have confirmed that Marcus Rashford “will be sidelined for a few games.”

The England international limped off during United’s 2-0 Premier League win against Everton on Saturday and walked straight down the tunnel to be treated.

After additional checks by the club’s medical experts, the Red Devils have released an official statement confirming Rashford’s absence from the first leg of their quarter-final match against Sevilla due to a muscle injury.

United have not provided a timetable for Rashford’s rehabilitation, but he will now miss “a few games,” which is a significant blow to Erik Ten Hag.

The Dutchman expressed his displeasure after the striker was injured against Everton, claiming that the current match calendar is too taxing.

“Some things you can’t avoid but it was avoidable,” the United boss told reporters. “Why is the Premier League giving us the late Sunday night game [last week vs. Newcastle] and giving us the early Saturday game? I think it’s not right.

“You run the risk, the players can’t recover that quickly, we know all research that players need a certain period to recover and it accumulates. So then you run even more of a risk.”

ℹ️ News on the fitness of @MarcusRashford.#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 12, 2023

Rashford is United’s leading scorer this season, with 28 goals from 47 appearances across all competitions. Bruno Fernandes comes in second with ten, but Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst has only scored twice since joining in the January transfer window.

Rashford’s absence might be expensive as United battles for the Europa League and FA Cup to complete a triple after winning the Carabao Cup in February.

Ten Hag’s team will host Sevilla at Old Trafford on Thursday for the opening leg of their Europa League quarterfinal, followed three days later by a trip to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. On April 20, Sevilla will host the second match in Spain.

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Despite Wout Weghorst sliding to the bench, Erik ten Hag has revealed why Anthony Martial did not start for Manchester United against Brentford.

After going three Premier League matches without scoring, changes to the Red Devils’ offence were anticipated on Wednesday. Weghorst, a Dutch international who was sent out on loan in January, has contributed to those lacklustre performances by making only two attempts in 19 outings.

He was named among the substitutes against Brentford after making the starting XI in all of his previous outings, with Jadon Sancho included from the off as Marcus Rashford – who grabbed the only goal in a 1-0 win – once again being asked to lead the line as a central striker.

Explaining why fit Martial was not selected down the middle, allowing Rashford to remain on the flanks, United boss Ten Hag told reporters: “He was an option but I don’t think in this moment he is game fit enough to have a start. And there is also prevention. Obviously, when you see Anthony Martial’s record over the last years, you have to be really careful to plan it. So I don’t want to take that risk because I know when he is on the pitch he has a great impact on our performance.”

Ten Hag added, with Rashford netting his 28th goal of the season and Sancho proving once again that he can operate anywhere along the frontline: “I think also you can take in that discussion, that debate, Jadon Sancho. But I’m sure when they are three or four on the pitch we have a very good frontline. A lot of creativity, a lot of intelligence, a lot of pace, a lot of togetherness, I think then we create more, we will have more of a threat.

“And the balance of that frontline will be good. But obviously you have to play more together. So happy it looks like he (Martial) is back and hopefully he stays fit until the end of the season and we can play him. But we have seen with others we have results, we proved that, that we are there and Anthony Martial is often not available but still we are there.”

Martial, a 27-year-old French international who has had five different injuries in the 2022–23 season that have kept him out for extended periods of time, did come off the bench against the Bees in what was only his 16th appearance of the year.

United, who are still in fourth place in the Premier League standings but are tied with Newcastle in terms of points, will return to action on Saturday when they visit relegation-threatened Everton.

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Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst has reacted to his critics and claimed he is ‘doing a good job for the team’.

The Dutch attacker, who scored nine goals in 18 games while on loan at Besiktas during the first part of the season, joined Erik ten Hag’s team in January on a temporary basis from Burnley.

Since then, he has played an important role in a United team that has been revitalized by his fellow countryman, starting 18 of the 18 games in which he has been eligible across all competitions.

Nevertheless, he has only registered two goals and has yet to score in eight Premier League games, prompting Paul Scholes and Richard Keys to say that he is unfit for the team.

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In response to his critics, Weghorst asserted that Ten Hag’s inclusion of him on a regular basis in his starting Eleven is proof that he is more than qualified to represent United.

‘That’s a lot of matches and it shows the trust in me,’ he said. ‘It also shows that I am doing a good job for the team.

‘That was the thing I wanted when I came here – to contribute and try and help the club to be successful to win trophies. We have one now.

‘We have two more (trophies) to go with the Europa League and FA Cup, and we want to get as high as possible in the table and definitely top four for the Champions League. 

‘So it just shows me that I am being part of it.’

Weghorst’s fans have praised him for his contribution to the team as a whole, with the forward often leading United’s press from the front and creating space for other attackers like Marcus Rashford. He has also been deployed as a number 10 by Ten Hag.

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has explained how Wout Weghorst’s level of fitness has allowed him to establish himself as a constant in his starting lineup.

The United manager acknowledged that Weghorst has played so much because of Anthony Martial’s injury problems, but he also praised the physical qualities of the Dutch striker when he snapped his goalless streak in the 4-1 Europa League victory against Real Betis.

“He’s physically capable of playing a lot of games, he’s a very fit player, he recovers very good,” Ten Hag told a press conference. “I expect that he’d play a lot but obviously we have an injury to Anthony Martial so that’s the main reason he’s playing every game from start to almost finish.”

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As Cristiano Ronaldo abruptly left the team in January, Weghorst was brought in as a temporary offensive replacement. Nevertheless, the 30-year-old has ended up starting 15 straight games. His close-range strike against Betis was just his second goal for United, and it came after he had earlier missed a few great chances.

Ten Hag hailed Weghorst’s persistence and his ability to read the game.

“As you can see he is often in the right position and he fails but he keeps going and so he showed great personality and character,” added the United manager. “In this game, he could already have had his goal earlier on. He keeps focused, he keeps working, he keeps putting himself in the right position and finally he got his goal and his reward.”

Weghorst and his teammates have little time to rest before Sunday’s Premier League match against struggling Southampton.

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Erik ten Hag was happy with the impact of his captain as Bruno Fernandes starred to help Manchester United to a 4-1 win over Real Betis.

After a poor performance over the weekend, Fernandes had the ideal opportunity to silence his detractors with a goal and an assist in a convincing 4-1 victory over Real Betis. In an effort to respond, Erik ten Hag used the same starting lineup that was destroyed at Anfield.

He was pleased with his captain’s performance against their Spanish opponents.

“He [Fernandes] was brilliant today,” Ten Hag told BT Sport, adding: “He led the team from the first minute, in possession he controlled the rhythm of the game and scored a goal.”

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Marcus Rashford’s goal put his team up just six minutes into their round of 16 first-leg match gave United the perfect start to react to their opponents’ 7-0 thrashing on Sunday. Ayoze Perez, despite what appeared to be a handball in the buildup, equalized for Betis before halftime as United stumbled into the interval.

Yet United achieved a significant victory in front of the Old Trafford fans thanks to a thoroughly dominant second-half performance that included goals from captain Fernandes, Antony, and Wout Weghorst. Fernandes‘ performance significantly reduced the number of naysayers who claimed he had the qualifications to hold the position.

This weekend’s Premier League matchup between United and Southampton is a must-win for the team to regain momentum. They will feel as though they already have one foot in the Europa League quarterfinal as they carry a three-goal lead into their last 16-second leg in Seville.

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Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst claims that a photograph of him touching the renowned “This Is Anfield” sign in Liverpool has been misrepresented.

The sign is frequently touched by Liverpool players as they leave the stadium, as they did the weekend before their convincing 7-0 win against United.

As soon as the video of Weghorst touching the sign before the game surfaced, many fans criticized the Dutchman and said that he was ignorant of the rivalry between the two teams.

But, Weghorst has subsequently gone forward to clarify how everything was not as it looked.

“Normally I never react on media topics, but for this one it’s worth it because you amazing United fans are important to me. So I just want to clarify the video that is doing the rounds,” Weghorst said.

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“From the national team I know that Virgil [van Dijk] always touches that sign and I went to stop him touching it to try and wind him up before the game.

“As a child I always supported FC Twente, and as a player now for Manchester United, my dedication to this incredible 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.”

30-year-old Weghorst joined United on loan in January and has since been a regular member of Ten Hag’s team; his appearance against Liverpool was his 14th overall.

Playing behind central striker Marcus Rashford, Weghorst managed just under an hour of the Liverpool game before heading to the bench to watch the rest of the action.

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed that Wout Weghorst occupying a deeper ‘number 10’ position against Barcelona was a decision intended to make more space for others.

Weghorst was signed in last month after Cristiano Ronaldo left in November, and he has constantly led the line as a ‘number nine’.

Although the Dutchman hasn’t been a prolific goalscorer (one goal in eight appearances in all competitions), his presence and selfless manner has benefited other players.

But, there was some surprise on Thursday night as the first leg of the Europa League playoffs kicked off at Camp Nou.

Marcus Rashford was the central striker, with Jadon Sancho on the left, Bruno Fernandes shifted to the right, and Weghorst sitting behind Rashford in the centre.

Fans were left perplexed as to the logic that enabled United to earn a 2-2 draw to take to Old Trafford next week, with Ten Hag providing an explanation after the final whistle.

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“It’s not only about Wout, but he did well in that position,” the boss told BT Sport.

“It gives a lot of variation but I also want Jadon and Bruno getting in the half spaces and get them on the ball and also make runs from deep. With the full-backs joining in, we had a lot of chances and a lot of opportunities and we should have won this game.”

Ten Hag was generally happy with what he observed from his players, with the exception of a period in the first half. But, he did feel let down by the officials as Jules Kounde was let to continue playing despite fouling Rashford as the last player on the edge of the penalty area.

“I was a little bit disappointed that at half-time it was 0-0 because we should have scored and the opportunities they had, we created ourselves,” Ten Hag explained. “But I think it was a great game. Two attacking teams. I think it was a Champions League game, even more than that, so I really enjoyed the game. In the end…2-2 and we have to finish it in Old Trafford.

“Then we turn around when are down, and I also think the refereeing had a big influence in this game. I think it’s a clear foul on Rashford. You can discuss if it’s in or outside the box, but then it’s a red card because he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. It’s a big influence, not only on this game but in this round, and referees can’t make such mistakes.”

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has defended strikers Wout Weghorst and Anthony Martial from recent criticisms.

Loanee Weghorst, who joined the Red Devils in January, has scored just once in six games. While Martial has scored six goals in 14 games this season, he has missed much of the season due to injury.

Marcus Rashford, the only member of the team to have scored more than ten goals thus far this season, has been largely responsible for United’s productivity.

Ahead of United’s Wednesday match against rival Leeds, Ten Hag was questioned about the performance of two centre strikers and opted to come to their defence.

Regarding Weghorst, Ten Hag said: “He is the one who makes players around him play better.

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“As a team we have to work better to anticipate his movements because his movements are good, quite a lot of times he was close. He had many good actions and already a lot of good contributions to our results.

“He will score, but in the meantime do the other stuff, do it good. It is about not scoring individual but scoring from the team and the team has to win. He is doing a very good job at this moment in several aspects of football.”

Speaking on Martial, he added: “He is not always available, but also I see the other side when he is available, he was never 100 % this season but he had a big impact every time he is available, even when he is at 80, 85, 90%.

“So we do everything and Anthony Martial is doing everything. I think Anthony Martial is the player who has spent the most hours at Carrington this season, to return to recover, to get back, it is really so a pity for him that he is disappointed.

“He is not always available and we want him to be always available because that will improve our game and because routines can’t become routines when you are not always available.”

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has stated that both Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial will be available for selection against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.

United have a 3-0 aggregate advantage after the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, and they have the option of bringing certain players back in.

Ten Hag told club media ahead of the pre-match press conference that United still have’some challenges’ with fitness. Sancho and Martial, though, are not among them.

“I think that Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho will return in the game squad, but Scott McTominay will still be absent” the United boss explained.

“I think also the next game [against Crystal Palace] he will be absent. We have to see how that process will go. And for the rest, I think everyone is fit.”

Sancho hasn’t played for United since being substituted 52 minutes into a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on 22 October. He was initially ruled out through illness immediately prior to the World Cup break but was then not part of the squad’s training camp in Spain in December.

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At the time, Ten Hag explained that the £73 million signing was “not fit enough” to be included, implying that Sancho had also been having mental difficulties. Two weeks ago, he returned to training with the first squad after being put on an individual fitness regimen.

Sancho missed out on the first leg against Forest last week because he was still getting fit.

Martial is also ready to return and could make his first appearance since his injury problem. Ten Hag has been a big supporter of the Frenchman this season, but a myriad of fitness issues have limited him to only 13 appearances in all competitions and no action at all since coming off at half-time in the victorious Manchester derby two and a half weeks ago.

With Cristiano Ronaldo gone, United have signed Wout Weghorst as an additional cover up front and the towering Dutchman has impressed in his early games for the club while Martial has been out.

“He is integrating really well. He is doing what I am expecting him to do. The more he plays, the more it will come,” Ten Hag said of his compatriot at Tuesday’s press conference.

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Wout Weghorst thinks his presence at Old Trafford as a long-term striker option will prevent Manchester United from entering the transfer market.

The international player from the Netherlands has joined the Premier League powerhouses on an initial loan deal with Burnley that is scheduled to last until the conclusion of the 2022–23 season.

Although there have been links to players like Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen, it is expected that United will use the summer transfer window to find another proven goalscorer. Weghorst, however, is determined to show why he should stay in a move that could end up saving the Red Devils millions of dollars.

The 30-year-old frontman has said when asked if he can earn an extended stay in Manchester: “Of course. The situation now is how it was – it was for a loan. It’s a massive club so I will try to do everything as good as I can, and if it will work out it will be a good option.

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I’ve seen the first couple of days, almost a week, how big the club is in everything – the facilities, the club, even the quality in the team, the way we’re playing. There’s a lot of quality in everything and that’s something you look to work in, in a winning atmosphere.

“I think the first week went well and it’s up to me to deliver and contribute and to help the team as good as I can. I’m quite confident I can play a role in it. The club was looking for a target man. With [Anthony] Martial there was only one real striker, more of a No.9. They just wanted to add one and then it’s up to me and to take your chances.”

Weghorst scored United’s first goal as they defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal match, moving them one step closer to Wembley and their first major trophy since 2017.

In the fourth round of the FA Cup, United will return to action on Saturday when it hosts Championship team Reading.

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Following Wout Weghorst’s first goal for the team on Wednesday night, Manchester United legend Roy Keane praised the club’s choice to sign him on a loan this month.

Weghorst, who has started United’s last three games in all competitions in the absence of Anthony Martial, found the net to double his new team’s lead at a crucial moment in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

Weghorst struggled at Burnley in extremely difficult circumstances following a £20m transfer from Wolfsburg last January. But, in his own words, he believes he is a good fit for the system that Erik ten Hag has implemented in Manchester.

“People have been critical that he’s come to the club. That’s what he’s been brought to the club for. Huge goal for United,” former United captain Keane said on Sky Sports.

“Man Utd had to bring someone in. The manager made it clear, there was no money to spend. They lost [Cristiano] Ronaldo, questions marks about Anthony Martial’s fitness. So I can see why they gambled on [Weghorst].”

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Keane said that Weghorst may also assist Marcus Rashford to continue to have a significant influence. Last week, Weghorst’s movement in the penalty area against Crystal Palace made Bruno Fernandes‘ goal feasible.

“I don’t think he’ll be a prolific goalscorer but if he pops up with the odd important goal like that and he helps Marcus. He’s an international player – he’s no mug!” the retired midfielder said.

“The perception about him, because he struggled in a Burnley team that were having a difficult season, people kind of judge him on that. Give the guy a chance, he scored an important goal for United. Good luck to him. 

“His lack of pace can be a problem when United are trying to play on the counter-attack but they’ll need to play to his strengths. He linked up well, took his goal well.

“There’s a reason he came on loan, because he’s obviously not top level. But the important thing is that the manager knows him well. You need characters in your dressing room.”

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