Manchester United Should Keep Wout Weghorst Beyond End Of This Season

Few saw Wout Weghorst as a suitable number nine for Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United when the Netherlands international made the loan move to Old Trafford in the January transfer window. Written off after a disappointing spell at Burnley, Weghorst was typecast as a one-dimensional targetman.

Two months later, though, and Weghorst is a key part of the successful team Ten Hag has built. Manchester United won their first trophy for six years by beating Newcastle United in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final and the 30-year-old helped the Old Trafford side execute their game plan perfectly at Easter Road.

While Weghorst gives United an aerial presence inside the opposition penalty box, it’s his all-round game that has proved most valuable. Ten Hag has even used the Dutchman as something of a number nine to create space for primarily Marcus Rashford who is in the goal-scoring form of his career.

Weghorst does a lot to bring others into the game with his first touch and passing much better than he is widely given credit for. The 30-year-old might not be the long-term number nine Manchester United need to take the next step in their development, but he is effectively performing a role for his new team.

It’s not yet clear what Manchester United could achieve this season with one trophy already in the bag. Ten Hag’s team are still in the Europa League after beating Barcelona last week with an FA Cup fifth round match against West Ham this week. United are also within touching distance of the top of the PremierPINC
League table and could be an outsider in the title race.

“We win the first one now and still have three to go so, yeah, hungry for more,” Weghorst said after lifting the Carabao Cup on Sunday, highlighting the competitions Manchester United are still in this season. “First one is in and we have to stand still and enjoy it. We have everything in our own hands so let’s go.”

Manchester United are widely expected to make a move for a new centre forward this summer with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who has scored 19 goals in Serie A this season, reported to be on their radar. Harry Kane could also be on his way out of Tottenham Hotspur and would surely be of interest to the Old Trafford club.

For now, though, Weghorst is doing exactly what Ten Hag wants and needs him to do even if he could do with sharpening his finishing touch in front of goal. If Manchester United enjoy a glorious end to the season, they will have their gangly Dutch striker for his contribution. It might be worth keeping him around.