December 24th 2023.
Wout Weghorst, the former Manchester United centre forward, has opened up about his struggles to find the back of the net during his six-month loan spell at Old Trafford. Despite his hardworking displays, Weghorst only managed to score two goals in 31 appearances for the club.
Speaking to The Mirror, Weghorst explained his lack of goals: “They were super successful months in which we hardly lost, and I was very important for the team as both a focal point of play and hard-working link between midfield and attack. Only my goals were lagging behind. That gnawed at me and was the reason why I lost my starting place.”
Weghorst claimed that the way Erik ten Hag set up the team was different from what he was used to in Germany and Turkey. “The Premier League is by far the toughest league in the world, with the best defenders. But we were rarely the dominant side creating chances. And the way we played was also different from what I was used to. In Germany and Turkey, the teams always played for me. I was the end of the line, while at United I mainly had to ensure that others could excel. I think I managed that very well. But whichever way you look at it, I would have liked to score much more often.”
Unfortunately, Weghorst is not the only forward to find it difficult to score goals under Ten Hag. Summer recruit Rasmus Hojlund's Premier League goal drought now stands at 14 matches after yesterday's blank at West Ham.
Ten Hag offered an explanation for Hojlund's lack of goals: “I think he’s a very strong character and he can deal with the stress. I took him off. He was ill during the week and so he had a little lack of power. So, yeah, in that sense, I protected him. We have to play two more games this week. But we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. No one. And we have to take the responsibility. If you are playing for Manchester United you have to do it together, but everyone has to be accountable and take responsibility.”
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