Man Utd fell to defeat in London and Weghorst failed to impress in his No 10 role

Rio Ferdinand believes Wout Weghorst lacks the skills to play as Manchester United’s number 10, with the Dutchman once again struggling in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by West Ham.

United lost points again away from home thanks to Said Benrahma’s goal in the first half. The Hammers winger opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark when his weak shot was inexplicably dropped by David De Gea, who appeared to slip but was unable to clear the danger.

Erik ten Hag’s side failed to build momentum after a brilliant 10-minute opening despite dominating possession, with Weghorst again struggling to make an impact up front. The Reds loanee was cast in the number 10 role, trying to take his team forward but failing to impress.

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“Manchester United’s No 10, the No 10 of a top team doesn’t look like a Weghorst in my eyes, the attributes he has,” Ferdinand told BT Sport. “If I’m Sancho, Bruno, Garnacho, Marcial, and I’m sitting watching him line up as number 10 in front of me. The number 10 shirt means something else. He’s a player who can create, who has malice, who’s going to step on the line, step into halfback and get people on the line, and someone who’s going to score goals. He doesn’t offer enough of all those things.”

Asked why Ten Hag is playing him there: “Work reason, his best move today was a tackle in his own area. That’s not what the No. 10’s are known for doing and that’s the position he played today. up enough with the game to be a threat in the area. That’s the confusion when you look at it from the outside.

It’s an unusual position for Weghorst, whose entire career has been spent leading the line. United have dropped the 30-year-old from his loan spell at Besiktas after a run of eight goals in 16 games, with his 6-foot frame much more suited to a traditional striker.

“Weghorst’s position today I just cannot understand,” added Crouch. “I just can’t understand what he offers in that position. If you play Weghorst you have to play him high where Rashford and Sancho can bounce off his balls, play a touch and then he can get into the box for any cross. If you play that way, you’re not going to get the best out of him and you’re not going to get the best out of Manchester United.”