Wout Weghorst was asked to drop into a deeper number 10 role during a game by manager Erik ten Hag, the striker has now revealed.
Weghorst arrived at Old Trafford on loan from Burnley as a short-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo after a less-than impressive spell at Turf Moor.
The 30-year-old has since split opinion, with some feeling he is an effective stop-gap target man for United while others, such as club legend Paul Scholes, insist he is not good enough for the club.
Although he has only managed two goals in 18 appearances since signing, Weghorst recently joked that he must be doing something right to be getting so much game time, and has spoken of how he came to play a deeper role in support of in-form striker Marcus Rashford.
'The manager told me at half-time in the away game at Fulham that he was considering the option of playing me as a 10, behind Rashford', he said, in quotes carried by the Mirror.
'He told me just to take his plan into account because Ten Hag is a manager who places a lot of value on task-conscious play.
'The manager then told me I had to do my share of defensive work in the role. I am a team player, so I replied "That's no problem at all, boss".'
Weghorst also reflected on his goal scoring stats not revealing the whole story of his time at United, as he added: 'Sometimes I think I am doing really well - but then I remember I am still only on two goals.
'That's also how everyone looks at football. I try to teach my children to look at other aspects than just goals - and that works for me as well.
'I prefer to look at what is positive. When I scored my first goal at Nottingham Forest I said in an interview I can't wait for my first goal in a home game in front of our fans. That took another few games, but it was a big moment for me.
'You only experience how big United is when you are part of it. This is an absolute top club, with all the attention from the outside. You have to find a way to deal with it, but I manage to be myself even in this environment.'
Weghorst is currently away from Old Trafford as he spends the international break with Louis van Gaal's Netherlands side.
The manager's second spell in charge got off to a dreadful start on Friday, with Weghorst subbed on after just 33 minutes to try and rescue a game against France that was eventually lost 4-0.
They should find the going easier on Monday when the Netherlands face Gibraltar in their next Euros qualifier.
KHMMURU07
0
You clearly don’t understand what his role is
🤣He is a false 9 player,what do you want him to do,run around ? His role is to assist,score and make contributions to goals . . . Only thing covering him up is his nationality and Ten Hag is one to it..Or else he is utterly playing poor
cazakmostu
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That's what I say and to me, I'll rather try Joe Hugill instead of him because I can't have a no 9 who'll miss 5 big chances in a match while another no 9 is scoring 5 in a match. I know he isn't Haaland but at least score 1
true
dauabcituy
1
You clearly don’t understand what his role is
What is the role of a No 9? We're playing a CB as our 9😭
dauabcituy
0
You are not having game time because you are doing something right no, but it is because Martial is a very weak footballer who gets injuries every after a game.. so we don't have any number 9 but you ghost
That's what I say and to me, I'll rather try Joe Hugill instead of him because I can't have a no 9 who'll miss 5 big chances in a match while another no 9 is scoring 5 in a match. I know he isn't Haaland but at least score 1
Pucdmnpst
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stop the talking....you just run on the pitch and offers nothing
Sisceiru
0
We have to weghorst stop out
cazakmostu
1
You are not having game time because you are doing something right no, but it is because Martial is a very weak footballer who gets injuries every after a game.. so we don't have any number 9 but you ghost
Footballanalyst23
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He plays one the boring game and has less goals or assist contribution yet he is seen in news more often then his very own contribution in field lols. . . . It's still a mystery how Karen Carragher, Neville and Co ain't criticising this man with his pathetic number.
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You clearly don’t understand what his role is
Lombdekot
1
weghorst did not sign for man u when they play away to fulham. he came january while the match away to fulham had being played in December two weeks to world cup. AF are rubbish
Zipaenpty
1
martial far better than you wegworst
Kinetics231
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There's too many errors in this article. This writer is not up to date with information
ManUnited-Red
1
We need a better striker
fadbdiklnz
3
He might not have scored as much goals as most fans hoped for, but you can never question his work rate and passion
sikaputafernando
1
This article is completely wrong Manchester united haven't played away Fulham since last year in December and weghorst that was not a man utd player more to that Luis van gaal is not Netherland coach anymore it's actually Ronald koeman
KHMMURU07
2
He plays one the boring game and has less goals or assist contribution yet he is seen in news more often then his very own contribution in field lols. . . . It's still a mystery how Karen Carragher, Neville and Co ain't criticising this man with his pathetic number.
rouabdlru
0
Ronald Koeman not LvG
Watailoyz
0
Louis van gaal or koeman? Wandafu