Wout Weghorst has detailed the reason behind his new-look midfield role and admitted he enjoyed the position during Thursday's 2-2 draw against Barcelona.
United will return from Camp Nou with honours even and the scene set for an intriguing second leg next week after a thrilling opener. Erik ten Hag's side fought back from a goal down via Marcus Rashford and a Jules Kounde own-goal, with Raphinha then pulling one back for the hosts.
And a slight tweak from the Dutchman saw his compatriot Weghorst deployed deeper than usual, dropping into an advanced midfield role while Rashford led the line. The 30-year-old pressed and harried Barca playmaker Frenkie de Jong throughout the 90 minutes, playing a similar role to the final 20 minutes at Leeds United.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag explains why Wout Weghorst played as a No 10
“This was a game at a high level," Weghorst told ESPN. "Last week I got into that position for the first time during the match in the last half hour. I think he [Ten Hag] was satisfied because I heard that I would play in midfield.
“[The midfield] are very important for them to shift the game, my job was to constantly get in their way and be annoying there so that they don’t get into their game and can play the way they like to do. And to be able to make my depth actions offensively from the second line, because they are vulnerable in that. You saw that in the first half.
“I had never been there, I only wanted to come here if I could also play football. It was a special day, I did enjoy it, it was beautiful.”
Ten Hag was also asked about his decision to drop Weghorst deeper, citing the Burnley loanee's pressing power and how it allows others further forward to get in the best positions.
"It's more tactical but also to get some other players in good positions in the whole front three; Bruno, Rashy and Jadon," the United boss explained. "But also to get a good press on and I think the plan worked well."
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