Rio Ferdinand feels Manchester United should not play Wout Weghorst as number 10
Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand does not feel Wout Weghorst is good enough to play in the number 10 position for the Old Trafford side.
The Holland international started in the playmaking role in the 1-0 loss to West Ham United in our last match. However, the 30-year-old once again put in an indifferent performance.
Speaking on BT Sport (h/t Manchester Evening News), Ferdinand, who spent 12 years at United, is of the opinion that Weghorst, who is a natural striker by trade, does not have the required quality to play in the attacking midfield position.
“I just think Man United’s No.10, a top team’s No.10 doesn’t look like a Weghorst in my eyes.”
The Red Devils signed the Holland international on loan from Burnley in January. Since then, he has played a pivotal role in the team due to Anthony Martial’s fitness issues.
In the current campaign, the French national has struggled with multiple injuries. Erik ten Hag has been unable to rely on the 27-year-old, who has been on the sidelines for most of the time since the Dutch manager’s arrival.
Weghorst was seemingly a stop-gap solution to add cover up top in the previous transfer window. However, Ten Hag has often opted to deploy the former Wolfsburg star as a number 10.
The 30-year-old is hard-working, pressing from the front and admirably tracking back. Unfortunately, the Holland international leaves a lot to be desired in the final third of the pitch.
Ten Hag has had to rely on Marcus Rashford to find the back of the net on a consistent basis this season. The 25-year-old has been the gaffer’s preferred number nine in the absence of Martial.
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Weghorst is doing the best he can out of position. But evidently, the 30-year-old has not been up to the mark. However, Ten Hag’s decision is also understandable considering the lack of options he has in the team.