24 February 2023 , 09:42
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Wout Weghorst has conceded that he has to start scoring more goals for Manchester United - just days after Richard Keys claimed that Erik ten Hag was effectively choosing to play with 10 men when starting the on-loan Burnley striker.
United's decision to acquire Weghorst in the January transfer window raised eyebrows, but the Dutchman's contributions have been consistently commended by Ten Hag since his arrival.
However, the 30-year-old was hooked at half-time during Thursday night's Europa League triumph over Barcelona after struggling to impact the game. Following his early withdrawal, Weghorst has now scored just once in 11 appearances since arriving at Old Trafford.
Prior to Thursday night's meeting with Barcelona, Weghorst, whose sole goal for United came in last month's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup, was blasted after blanking in Manchester United's 4-1 win over Leicester at the weekend by Keys.
The veteran broadcaster has been outspoken on Weghorst since his return to the Premier League and even branded him a "Burnley flop" last month. And Keys took the opportunity to launch a fresh attack on the striker after Weghorst spurned a golden goalscoring opportunity against the Foxes.
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"You’re playing with ten men most weeks if he’s [Weghorst] in," Keys told beIN SPORTS on Sunday. "I mean, he doesn’t do enough to justify a starting place does he? Come on, let’s be honest!"
Join the debate! What have you made of Weghorst's performances for Man Utd? Let us know here.
Wout Weghorst was slammed by Richard Keys earlier this week (Hayters TV)Although Weghorst is primarily a striker, he has been utilised as a No.10 in recent weeks and has proven himself as an effective foil for the red-hot Marcus Rashford.
He admitted that he is still getting to grips with his new position after being deployed in a deeper role again against Barcelona - but he stressed that he is fully aware of the need to improve his goalscoring output.
Speaking after Thursday night's win, Weghorst said: "Of course, I have played in some different positions, it’s also new to me. What I can bring to the team? I hope lots of energy, I hope the belief. Of course, I am someone who is giving a lot of effort against the ball also, try to get high pressure on the opponent, get the guys around me free.
"Of course, get myself also free and scoring goals so that’s definitely a point we need to improve, because I know I’m capable of bringing that also to the team. That’s something that so far hasn’t worked as we wanted, as we planned, but overall I’m just somebody who is giving his all to the team with a lot of energy and trying to win all these trophies we’re still capable of."