Wout Weghorst has revealed that Erik ten Hag informed him that he was planning to deploy him as a No.10 midway through a match.
Weghorst, 30, completed a shock loan move to Manchester United in the January transfer window after the Red Devils parted company with Cristiano Ronaldo during the World Cup.
The Burnley striker, who was on loan at Besiktas prior to United's approach, has started every game since his arrival - even though he's scored just twice in 18 games. But in recent weeks, United have had plenty of joy by utilising Weghorst in a slightly deeper role.
The big striker has been an effective foil for Marcus Rashford in the No.10 role - even though he admitted last month that he is still getting to grips with his new position. And Weghorst has now lifted the lid on when he found out that Ten Hag was planning to use him differently.
Weghorst revealed: “The manager told me at half-time in the away game at Fulham that he was considering the option of playing me as a 10, behind Rashford.
“He told me just to take his plan into account because Ten Hag is a manager who places a lot of value on task-conscious play. The manager then told me I had to do my share of defensive work in the role. I am a team player, so I replied 'That's no problem at all, boss’.”
Despite the fact that Weghorst has been an ever-present in the Manchester United team since his January move, the Dutchman has been repeatedly criticised; Richard Keys has even claimed that Ten Hag is choosing to play with 10 men by persevering with the former Wolfsburg man.
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Weghorst stressed earlier this week that the amount of games he's played proves that he's done a "good job" - but he concedes that he has to start finding the back of the net more often. He continued: “Sometimes I think I am doing really well - but then I remember I am still only on two goals.
“That's also how everyone looks at football. I try to teach my children to look at other aspects than just goals - and that works for me as well.
“I prefer to look at what is positive. When I scored my first goal at Nottingham Forest I said in an interview I can't wait for my first goal in a home game in front of our fans. That took another few games, but it was a big moment for me.
“You only experience how big United is when you are part of it. This is an absolute top club, with all the attention from the outside. You have to find a way to deal with it, but I manage to be myself even in this environment.”
