Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst has detailed the conversation he had with Erik ten Hag when he was asked to play as a deeper-lying number 10.
The attacker has played the position on a handful of occasions, most notably and successfully in the 2-2 first leg draw at the Nou Camp against Barcelona in the Europa League play-off tie last month.
Weghorst failed to score in either leg and has just two goals in 18 appearances, albeit grabbed the assist for Marcus Rashford’s League Cup final goal at Wembley. The Dutchman, who suffered defeat with the Netherlands against France in Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier, recalled the first time Ten Hag had asked him to play the new position.
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“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 said, as per the Mirror.
“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’.”
Weghorst is yet to score in the Premier League for United despite starting all eight fixtures he has been available for amid Anthony Martial’s injuries. Earlier this week, the Burnley-loaned forward insisted he was “doing a good job” despite his poor goals return.
Speaking a few days later, Weghorst admitted that his conversion rate is something on his mind. 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 [versus Real Betis in the Europa League], 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.”
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