Everton manager Sean Dyche has admitted that you cannot 'underestimate' Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst ahead of Saturday's meeting between the two clubs at Old Trafford.
Weghorst was dropped to the bench for the first time since joining United on loan in January for Wednesday night's 1-0 win over Brentford. That marked the end of a run of 19 consecutive starts for the Netherlands international, who is on loan at Old Trafford from Burnley until the end of the season.
Scoring just twice since joining the club, supporters' patience has been wearing thin with the striker recently, meaning United boss Erik ten Hag was left with little choice but to axe him from his starting line-up in midweek. He was a virtual spectator during Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United, registering a paltry ten touches of the ball up until being substituted after 62 minutes.
READ MORE: Why Anthony Martial didn't start against Brentford
But even though he has struggled to justify Ten Hag's thinking to add him to his squad during January, Weghorst still has his qualities, according to Dyche, who worked with the 30-year-old at Burnley. Dyche added him to his Clarets squad in January 2022, drafting him in from German outfit Wolfsburg.
"He's a very good player," Dyche told reporters, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon. "He worked very hard, [he's] very professional and different managers look for different things.
"I certainly wouldn't underestimate him as a player. I hope he is not such a good pro if he plays on Saturday!"
Weghorst was replaced in the starting line-up by Jadon Sancho against Brentford, despite most people expecting Anthony Martial to take his place in a like-for-like swap. However, Ten Hag chose Sancho to come into the side and offer United more creativity.
"I think also you can take in that discussion, that debate, Jadon Sancho," Ten Hag said. "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."
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