Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst has admitted that he was pleased with the way he performed in an unexpected No.10 role against both Leeds United and Barcelona.
The 30-year-old, who joined United on loan for the remainder of the season from Burnley last month, dropped deep during the second half of last Sunday's 2-0 win at Elland Road in a tactical switch instigated by manager Erik ten Hag. It played a key role in United being able to find a way to secure all three points and Weghorst registered a classy assist for substitute Alejandro Garnacho to double the Reds' lead.
Weghorst, though many expected him to make way, kept his place in the starting line-up against Barcelona in the Europa League on Thursday evening and started in the No.10 position, meaning Marcus Rashford led the line and Bruno Fernandes started on the right-wing.
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Though it was a surprise decision made by Ten Hag, it was a tactical masterstroke, as the Dutchman disrupted Barcelona's hopes of playing the ball through the thirds. He made a real nuisance of himself and stopped fellow countryman and United transfer target Frenkie de Jong from strutting his stuff.
It will no doubt be a tactical approach Ten Hag considers again when United face the Spanish giants at Old Trafford in the return leg on Thursday, though fellow loanee Marcel Sabitzer will be back available for selection. Regardless of what happens moving forward, Weghorst has enjoyed adjusting to his new role, admitting that he did play in the same position as an amateur during his younger days.
"Yes, that was really in my younger days, to be honest," Weghorst told United's club website. "I think I was like 17 or 18 at the time, playing still as an amateur in the Netherlands but no, he mentioned it to me [at Leeds] at half-time that it could be an option to do some tactical switches.
"It happened in the second half and it went good for myself. It was actually new and the first time I’d played there but I quite liked it.
"The most important thing for me is to help the team. It helped us to win the match over there, doing also my defensive work. I took it on and, especially for the first time, I think I can be happy with it."
Reflecting on how he has settled into life at Old Trafford, the Dutchman added: It's good and I'm happy. That's the thing that I wanted before I came here, to be part of it, to be important and the start overall is good.
"There's room for improvement and things can go better but, as a beginning, the most important thing is that we're keeping on track like we're doing now by winning the games."
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