Football is a cut-throat business and Erik ten Hag has not been shy of whipping out the blades at Manchester United.
Since his arrival, if players haven't been good enough they have been out of the side. Harry Maguire hasn't started two games in a row since the disastrous defeats to Brighton and Brentford at the start of the season. Scott McTominay has started one Premier League match since early October. Cristiano Ronaldo was so thoroughly put in his place he took his ball and stropped off to a football backwater only to be heard of again when 'Messi' is being chanted at him.
Maguire, the perenially-injured Anthony Martial and the out-on-loan Alex Telles have all been earmarked to be sold in the summer already and it would be a surprise if more don't leave in what has to be a big summer clear out. Ten Hag has brought discipline and high standards back to United and those who haven't been able to reach those standards, on the pitch or off it, have faced the consequences.
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There is one exception - Wout Weghorst.
The big striker arrived in January to boost United's attacking ranks following Ronaldo's sudden departure and after a good World Cup and first half of the season in Turkey, it looked as though he would be a decent option off the bench. Yet Martial's continued absence means he has been relied upon far more than that.
If, as expected, Weghorst is in the starting XI for Thursday's Europa League last-16 second leg with Real Betis, it will be the 17th consecutive match in which he has started. In those games he has only managed to score twice, both off rebounds and neither coming in the Premier League.
Otherwise, Weghorst looking to the sky in anguish or clutching his hands to his beleaguered head after yet another chance goes begging has become a regular sight in 2023. Such a run in front of goal is usually a death knell for a striker, which shows just how hamstrung on options Ten Hag is since he hasn't once taken him out of the team since he first started.
Of course, Weghorst has been doing an admirable job in pressing opponents, bringing boundless energy up front and linking well with his teammates, three things Ronaldo would or could not do. The 30-year-old has been selfless and played deeper into creative midfield when asked as well.
“He is physically capable to play a lot of games," Ten Hag said after he scored his second goal for the club in the first leg against Betis. "He is a very fit player and he recovers very good. I expect that he would play a lot but obviously, we have an injury with Anthony Martial, so that’s obvious that’s the main reason he’s playing every game from start to almost finish.
“I think he has intelligence from positions. He is a very good anticipation. I tell him of course to link up there, which he is also doing as a high striker, linking up and getting in front of the goal when crosses are coming in and also the defending part he is very good in it.”
But despite all the tireless and selfless work he has been giving the team - which may well earn him a permanent move in the summer - his shortcomings and unshakable presence in the side have highlighted United's biggest priority in the summer as though it wasn't obvious enough already.
United are in desperate need of a quality striker. One who can do all the work Weghorst does but complement that with actually sticking the ball in the back of the net. Guile as well as graft. Decisiveness as well as determination. Skill as well as sweat.
A striker that finally ends United's cycle of signing stop-gap veterans of which Weghorst is the latest in a long line that includes Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Odion Ighalo. A solution to the problem rather than kicking the can down the road.
Thankfully, United are more than aware of this. MEN Sport understands that Tottenham talisman Harry Kane is Ten Hag's prime target for the summer with the England captain heading into the final year of his contract. Though no spring chicken himself, Kane has scored over 20 goals in the last nine successive seasons, has reached 30 three times and hit the 40 mark once. Those are the type of consistent numbers United can only dream of. Additionally, he's also brilliant on the ball, working in between the lines and picking out stunning passes for his teammates. He would be perfect for Ten Hag's team.
If Spurs are unwilling to let Kane go, though a great shame, Victor Osimhen would be an exciting alternative and Goncalo Ramos is also on the club's radar.
Whoever it is, it's imperative United find a reliable source of goals for next season so they can capitalise on the great work Ten Hag has already done. They've done so well without a quality striker this season, how well could they do with one?
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