Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Richard Fay

Wout Weghorst success could rely on two Manchester United teammates

Manchester United have completed their mission to sign a new striker in the January window; now they just need to decide how best to use him.

Erik ten Hag was thought to want another forward to supplement his mobile attack, a player who could fill in in almost any attacking position when needed, but he ultimately chose a central striker who offers something completely different up top.

Wout Weghorst will be eager to prove that there is more to his game than the stereotypes associated with a big No.9, though there will be no complaints if he plays up to the typecast with his powerful presence in the final third.

Read more: Wan-Bissaka has given Ten Hag something he didn't know he had

Even during their resurgent run, there have been moments when United have struggled to break down stubborn defences and would have benefited from having a different type of weapon in their arsenal.

They have often relied on the brilliance of Marcus Rashford to pick locks, when they might have been just as effective using a battering ram like Weghorst to barge the door down instead.

It will certainly do them no harm to have that option at their disposal, though to make the best use of their new forward, they will also need to change the way in which they approach attacks.

United average just 3.4 crosses per match; only three teams have averaged less in the Premier League so far this season, though they do boast a decent accuracy of 24.9%.

It's not necessarily been a case of United being poor at putting the ball into the box this season, but that they have often opted against doing so due to the lack of aerial threat they represent in most attacking situations.

Unless it is from a set-piece or in the dying moments of a match, United have lacked the expertise of their centre-backs in these situations, instead relying on deep midfield runs to connect with the ball.

With the arrival of Weghorst on loan, this certainly feels like an area for improvement and one that can help add another attacking threat to a side that is still heavily reliant on counter-attacking play.

Three of his eight league goals this season have been headers, as many as United have scored themselves this season, though there were concerns about his lack of aerial dominance during his last spell in the Premier League with Burnley.

It's reasonable to interpret that Turf Moor spell as a warning about what he might not be able to provide, but there are two notable differences. First and foremost, he is playing with renewed confidence following his World Cup exploits and a resurgent season at Besiktas.

This is also reflected in Weghorst's overall play this season. No player had more shots than the Dutch forward (52) during his time in the Turkish Super Lig this season, further evidence of his renewed confidence and self-belief.

The 30-year-old already boasts a strong conversion rate of 15.4% and there is hope he can continue such a strong output when put into a United side that has averaged the fourth most key passes per game (11.5) in the Premier League this season.

Secondly, he will likely benefit from better delivery into the box, giving him an even greater threat in the final third.

United's lack of crossing threat should be taken with a pinch of salt, given that it yields little threat as much out of choice as it does out of a lack of quality.

Given that they haven't really had a focal point up front for most of the season, they have chosen to explore other avenues of attack rather than aimlessly lumping balls into a box for players who offer little threat in the air.

What is certain, though, is that the delivery from wide areas needs to be good. United have enough quality on the wings for this to be the case, but their attacking output will need to be supplemented by their full-backs as well.

Liverpool continue to lead the Premier League in crossing averages, with Newcastle and Manchester City close behind; all three clubs average nearly twice as many crosses into the box as United, and do so by utilising attacking full-backs.

Although Luke Shaw has had some success with his crossing in recent months, there is room for improvement, and it remains a criticism of Aaron Wan-Bissaka despite his resurgent run with the team.y

United have something different up front, and it will take something different with their approach in order to utilise him at his best.

Making the most of Weghorst is Ten Hag's cross to bear.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.