Manchester United and Man City both face a degree of uncertainty around their star strikers ahead of the Premier League returning.
06.03.2023 - 20:45 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Paul Scholes has questioned whether Wout Weghorst has the ability needed to stay on as a Manchester United player beyond his loan spell.
The striker has one goal in 13 matches and was largely out of the game in Sunday’s 7-0 loss to Liverpool. Weghorst was played as the No.10 behind Marcus Rashford in the line-up again with Bruno Fernandes pushed out to the left and Antony on the right.
The Dutchman was hooked 13 minutes after the break having failed to muster a shot at goal and been mostly ineffectual. United’s tight purse strings in January meant they had to lean into the loan market and Weghorst entered to cater for Anthony Martial’s persistent injuries.
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The Burnley striker has started every game he’s been available for, having played as the leading frontman as well as the deeper-lying support striker. Speaking after his showing against Liverpool, Scholes is not convinced that he is up to United’s standards.
Weghorst’s loan deal expires at the end of the season with United holding no obligation or option to buy within his contract. It means he could be lining up against United next season with Burnley storming towards Premier League promotion in the Championship under ex-Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.
Scholes clearly thinks this is more likely than the alternative. Speaking on Premier League Productions, he said: “Weghorst is in the team to be a defender, really. You’re talking about a Manchester United No.10 or a centre-forward, he’s in the team to be defensive.
“He’s the one who runs about and rats about and everybody likes playing with him because he does that. But quality-wise as well you’ve got to have a certain level of quality to play for Man United…
Manchester United and Man City both face a degree of uncertainty around their star strikers ahead of the Premier League returning.
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