Wout Weghorst‘s wait for a first goal at Old Trafford goes on. And after watching his display in a 2-2 draw against Leeds, you wonder, will it ever arrive?
Weghorst has recently been praised by Erik ten Hag for his hard work in attack, despite a lack of goals. That’s fine when United are winning.
But when the team fail to win, a closer spotlight is shined on Weghorst’s lack of production.
The striker was substituted on 59 minutes with United 2-0 down, and the side improved, going on to rescue a draw.
Weghorst disappoints
Weghorst’s numbers tell a story of their own. He touched the ball only 19 times and completed only 10 passes.
Most crucial of all, Weghorst failed to register a single shot. On a night where United had 24 shots at goal, it was disappointing not to get even one from the starting striker.
United need to do better at getting Weghorst the ball. Straight after he went off, United began firing in crosses, which seemed to make little sense.
Weghorst could have benefitted from playing alongside Jadon Sancho and Facundo Pellistri. But when Marcus Rashford was in the centre, United just looked better.
Rashford’s pace worried the Leeds defence, and made United less predictable, with his ability to run in behind them. As it happened, he scored a header to bring the team back into the game, before a Sancho equaliser.
It’s easy to have a little sympathy for Weghorst, who was signed as a ‘plan B’, cover to bring off the bench late in games, and start the odd match.
Instead an injury to Anthony Martial has plunged him into a more pressurised role, starting the last seven games in a row.
He has just one goal to his name, and while his performances have largely been decent enough, without luck, last night against Leeds was his most disappointing.
WhoScored gave Weghorst his lowest rating in a United shirt yet, just a 6.04/10. If he is selected to start the next game at Elland Road, he will have to do much better.
Source: unitedinfocus.com
