The unexpected late Christmas gift that Manchester United supporters are receiving is Wout Weghorst.
After spending £225 million during the summer, the budget for the new year’s splash is quite meager. As a result, United had to search the loan market for an inexpensive, temporary replacement for Anthony Martial.
Weghorst, 30, is merely a stopgap in front of a significant summer coup, but the player appears content enough to fill that role, demonstrating his determination to implement the temporary transition.
Given his Premier League performance for parent club Burnley last season—two goals in 20 games—his impending arrival is unexpected. He may be eager to take the olive branch for no other reason than that.
Last weekend, Patrice Evra claimed he wants United to buy a striker who scores “ugly” goals rather than one who plays attractively but produces nothing.
Man stated, “I want us to appear bad, have a player like Filippo Inzaghi, and for people to say, ‘Who the heck is this he can’t even dribble,’ but at the end of the season he’s scored more than 20 goals.
Weghorst‘s loan period would be considered an accomplishment if he can score double digits in his four months. He is, though, the type of attacker Evra identified.
In the 11th minute of stoppage time during the Netherlands’ World Cup quarterfinal match against Argentina, Weghorst scored a brilliant and efficient equalizer, but the finish was a little chaotic. But that doesn’t matter; what matters is the outcome.
Weghorst is a striker who relies on the fundamentals; if you follow them correctly, you’ll get close to scoring. This was best demonstrated by his practiced one-touch, head-down free-kick finish against Argentina.
Given Martial’s inconsistent play, United might benefit from this ethos right now. The striker has missed 16 games already this season due to ailments, which have forced him to miss three separate setbacks and prevent him from playing a full 90 minutes.
Only once this season has Weghorst failed to finish a game to the end. Possibly something Erik ten Hag is ready to take a chance on, he provides something Martial cannot at this time.
His recent rate of fire is yet another enticing feature. In his last 16 appearances for Besiktas, Weghorst scored nine goals, including six in his last eight.
Martial, on the other hand, has scored twice in nine competitive appearances, which is not the sort of ratio required as the primary United striker.
Of course, the caliber of the league must be considered, but Martial’s five goals in just seven games isn’t a bad showing. However, momentum is important, and Weghorst currently has it thanks, in part, to the World Cup, where he also scored two goals.
Additionally, Weghorst possesses aerial ability, a noteworthy skill that Martial hasn’t displayed this season. The latter’s lone headed goal for the season came against Manchester City when the visitors were already in the lead and he nearly scored after a ricochet from six yards out.
Weghorst has netted four headers this season, including the goal that got the Netherlands back into the game against Argentina.
The most startling statistic, though, is the number of aerial duels won this season: Martial 4-43 Weghorst. If Ten Hag needs it, the 30-year-old provides an alternative strategy—almost a Divock Origi-like asset.
He could make good use of his nodding flicks for Marcus Rashford and Antony, who were moving quickly. Martial will still be Ten Hag’s first option for an attacker, and that is fair, but Weghorst may not just be a squad filler even though he is not the long-term solution to United’s striker need.