Anthony Martial lost his place due to being “injury-prone” claims Wout Weghorst

Wout Weghorst has admitted that he has been able to take advantage of his surprise loan move to Manchester United because fellow forward Antony Martial is “injury-prone”.

Wout Weghorst, 30, is on loan from Burnley to Manchester United until the end of the season and has seen more game time than expected due to Anthony Martial’s injury lay-off.

Initially bought in to be the understudy to the Frenchmen, whom Erik ten Hag much admires, a mix of adequate performances from Weghorst and unsustainable fitness from Martial has allowed the former to be a surprise mainstay within Ten Hag’s side.

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“All Ten Hag said was that he needed a striker who could fit into his way of playing. Anthony Martial was his striker, and he was doing fine – but he is injury-prone, and the manager wanted all positions double-staffed. He certainly did not paint the picture as it is now,” Weghorst explained while on international duty.

He further explained the ultimatum Teg Hag issued the pair of strikers. “That’s what I came for. But Ten Hag did say clearly, ‘It is up to you. You can force things, and the best one plays.’ My dream has always been to get the most out of my career. To tap my ceiling. It makes me incredibly proud and happy.”

During his brief time at United, Weghort’s contribution has gone further than his involvement in goals — even if his two goals and two assists are not the most superior numbers — but his link-up play, off-ball work, and strong will mentality have been pivotal aspects to the success of the team in recent months.

“My physique is like a house and has been all through my career,” he noted. “But I have never had an injury and never even had to miss a single match. It’s bizarre, really. What I always say: a lot is also determined in the head.

“At this level, you can no longer start every game fully recovered. So it also requires a lot of mental strength and mental resilience.”

Speaking further on Ten Hag, Wehorst added: “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’.

“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.”

There have been reports of United extending Weghorst’s stay to a permanent role, but with a contract at Burnley until 2025, a valuation still needs to be determined that would make it feasible to poach him away from the Championship runaway leaders. 

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With other positions placing high importance on Ten Hag’s summer transfer list, none other than a more desirable player up top with the likes of Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen being heavily touted, Weghorst’s impact may only extend to the end season and just that.