Neville: Struggling Man Utd man ‘lacks quality’ and gives Ten Hag ‘a big issue’ ahead of summer
Gary Neville believes Wout Weghorst is a “big issue” for Erik ten Hag as “he lacks the quality” to be a Manchester United striker.
Weghorst was once again named in the starting XI on Sunday as the Red Devils faced Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
This continued the Dutchman’s impressive run of starts since joining the club on loan in January.
He has started every single game under Ten Hag since his arrival, but he only has two goals to his name in those 18 appearances.
Signed as a stop-gap until the end of the season, Weghorst has impressed at times through his work rate and hold-up play, but has struggled to find the back of the net on a regular basis.
It was more of the same during Sunday’s Premier League match at Newcastle, with many United fans losing patience having to watch Weghorst lead the line.
On Sky Sports commentary for the game, Red Devils legend Neville assessed the Netherlands international, saying that he “doesn’t deserve to be criticised” but “lacks the quality” required for United.
“He does play his part,” he said. “It’s a big issue.
“He doesn’t deserve to be criticised, I think he is doing his very best. He works as hard as he possibly can but he just lacks the quality that a player in that position should have at Manchester United.
“He’s filling in obviously with [Anthony] Martial being injured. [Cristiano] Ronaldo’s left. [Edinson] Cavani left at the start of the season.
“Manchester United don’t have a centre-forward, really.”
Weghorst was substituted in the 62nd minute having made little to no impact on the game against Newcastle.
Unsurprisingly, United are being linked with several strikers ahead of the summer transfer window.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani, Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Tottenham’s Harry Kane are all reported targets for Ten Hag.
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Weghorst has been dire again so far. United players rarely look like they want to give him the ball and what pressing he does has been rare this half. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) April 2, 2023