[bosnian_red]

Not sure how he keeps getting starts. It's like we're playing with a man down. And for a guy who is 6'7 he's not very good in the air...

It's because we don't have options. Garnacho is a kid who is great as an impact sub, but too soon to be starting him regularly. The rest are all out.

Sabitzer will likely come in for Weghorst next week in that 3rd midfielder position, or Antony will go wide and Bruno central if Antony is back. But until players come back, Weghorst will start

 

[HarryP]

I actually think he's doing really well.

He's deceptively quite good on the ball. He has nice touches and he's well able to play the right pass. He's obviously not the most gifted in this area but he's pretty decent, and combined with his relentless pressing (which helps create space for others), he's an asset.

I love his attitude too. Works his ass off and never complains. Such a useful squad player.

 

[shabadu84]

He did the job that was asked of him and is helping us deal with injuries/suspensions. Helped the rest of the team play to their strengths and played fully committed the whole time. Hard to be mad at the guy for being as limited as he is. Should have buried that chance in the first half, probably the best run of his United career.

But hopefully we can send him to the bench for the next leg in favor of Sabitzer. A more mobile midfield can spring out attackers regularly against this Barca team at OT

 

[SirScholes]

As he always does, there is absolutely no doubting his work rate or his desire. He works as hard as any striker I’ve seen at United. Tevez levels of pressing, harrying and chasing back. And that is commendable.

He is however, so far short of quality on the ball that it really does hurt us as an attacking unit. We’d be a far better team with Rashford upfront & Bruno in the #10 (who himself has fantastic defensive work rate) flanked by two on Sancho, Garnacho or Antony. I do worry that ETH has a bit of a blind spot towards Wout and that it’ll cost us in at the end of the season. For all his hard work, a bit more quality in the attack today and I think we would have won.

Garnacho shouldn’t be starting games Antony is injured and sancho isn’t quite right it seems
I think Bruno being right isn’t the ideal but one of a very few options

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Again I think he actually did quite a good job. To me he has been a 6 out of 10 nearly every game he has played for us. Just need to remember he is a plaster because Ronaldo wanted to turn into a turbo cnut and the Glazers went full Glazer.

 

[berbatrick]

would have been nice if he had won a few headers, it's not like the long balls weren't going to where he was. don't blame him for not scoring, but not winning so many clearances is a problem.

 

[Smores]

Not going to say he was good but we obviously wouldn't have put in such a good performance if he was as bad as some claim.

He's only a backup but he's giving it his all and completely willing to do whatever job ETH asks of him.

 

[pocco]

Not going to say he was good but we obviously wouldn't have put in such a good performance if he was as bad as some claim.

He's only a backup but he's giving it his all and completely willing to do whatever job ETH asks of him.

He was rubbish. We gave such a good performance because Barca were absolute garbage, particularly in defence. Honestly it felt an easier game than Leeds last week, for the most part. Except from giving away cheap goals. For me, Weghorst brought absolutely nothing to the table really. Even on the odd occasion he won a header, he sent it nowhere.

 

[pocco]

would have been nice if he had won a few headers, it's not like the long balls weren't going to where he was. don't blame him for not scoring, but not winning so many clearances is a problem.

Pretty sure I saw Gavi beat him in the air a couple of times. He's so soft for a big, target man type of striker, I've never seen anything like it. Fellaini was amazing in comparison.

 

[tenpoless]

Think we should mark players using him more often. I think he marked Frenkie, they lose Frenkie we lose Weghorst as they both become less effective. Massive loss for them, not so much for us.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

He did a decent job but with a proper 9 I think we win that easily

 

[ti vu]

Not going to say he was good but we obviously wouldn't have put in such a good performance if he was as bad as some claim.

He's only a backup but he's giving it his all and completely willing to do whatever job ETH asks of him.

This is a flawed argument. Doesn't account for Barcelona tactical issue which our best performers were able to exploit.

When Xavi subbed out Alba, and Alonso, which IMO is their better players for those position now; Barcelona improved by a lot. Toward the end, they looked a different and better team. By then, even our best performers ain't having it easy with Barcelona.

Equalizer goal had a lot to do with Rashford's finishing, and the build up to that goal, which WW had nothing to do with. WW occupied Araujo in the corner leading to second goal, but he's nowhere directly influencing the goal. In overall play, if you rank our player, WW is the worst, even when you accounting all the mistakes other players make. So basically, by large, WW just being the body and not making game changing mistake. But this body can be easily bypass, as since with Christensen somehow beat WW which resulted in the ball hitting our post; WW left his position trying tackle Gabi only for him to evade cleanly that led to Ansu Fati had on dangerous shot at goal in position WW should have occupied.

The way some people giving WW credit for just being there is similar to how Telles used to get credit when he first signed. His honeymoon performance against PSG in that group stage game victory was glorified out of proportion. We all know how out of his depth Telles later were found out to be. He's no worse than he was back then.

 

[graphixant]

If he has the same impact as he did against Argentina in the World Cup we'll be very happy .

Needs to start scoring ASAP! Great at holding it up but we need a return from him

 

[Chief123]

Goalscoring isn't is forte.

Still, he serves a purpose which opens up more options for Rashford.

I’m surprised at the blasting he’s getting here.

He’s obviously not got the quality we need but his contribution is getting dismissed way too easily here. He’s a big part of us pressing high and the defence being able to play a high line.

We don’t go to the Nou Camp and have 18 shots on goal if we are carrying a passenger in our number 10 position. He’s offering more than he’s getting credit for.

 

[SadlerMUFC]

It's because we don't have options. Garnacho is a kid who is great as an impact sub, but too soon to be starting him regularly. The rest are all out.

Sabitzer will likely come in for Weghorst next week in that 3rd midfielder position, or Antony will go wide and Bruno central if Antony is back. But until players come back, Weghorst will start

I'd rather play the kids

 

[Remember the geese]

I'd rather play the kids

Weghorst is a better option than any of our kids.

 

[ti vu]

Weghorst is a better option than any of our kids.

Like for like we don't have any youngster in the ideal profile, but I doubt we can't start Garnacho on the left, and Sancho rotate with Bruno between AM and RM and get same level performance from the team.

Toward the end, the way WW fell to the ground from the duel with Christensen, would be an better option if we need aerial ability to defend our box.

WW looked like he does everything, but in every department he's the least contributor. He's even less an attacking threat than even Fred. Not carrier of the ball. No passer. No defensive midfielder. No play maker. Do pressing doesn't mean good pressing. Even Kessie turned and make him run in circle. The pressing and tackling attempt on Gavi near the end of the game is hilariously bad.

 

[Remember the geese]

Like for like we don't have any youngster in the ideal profile, but I doubt we can't start Garnacho on the left, and Sancho rotate with Bruno between AM and RM and get same level performance from the team.

Toward the end, the way WW fell to the ground from the duel with Christensen, would be an better option if we need aerial ability to defend our box.

WW looked like he does everything, but in every department he's the least contributor. He's not less a attacking threat than even Fred. Not carrier of the ball. No passer. No defensive midfielder. No play maker. Do pressing doesn't mean good pressing. Even Kessie turned and make him run in circle. The pressing and tackling attempt on Gavi near the end of the game is hilariously bad.

I agree that Weghorst is far from perfect, but Garnacho isn't all that effective as a starter right now. I would much rather maximise his impact by using him from the bench. I don't feel that bringing Weghorst on as a sub would really serve as any catalyst for change.

 

[Red Shorts]

I swear Zlatan, after his leg went backwards from the kneepoint then recuperated, moves faster than him.

His linkup play is very neat, but outside of that I have no praise for the other attributes.

 

[V.O.]

I'd rather play the kids

You can't just "play the kids", there has to be a kid there to play. Very few are Garnacho level talents waiting to break out. Our current batch of centre forward prospects are Joe Hugill and Charlie McNeill. They've gone on loan to Conference and League Two sides respectively.

Weghorst is a lot of things, but he's not a League Two player.

 

[ti vu]

I agree that Weghorst is far from perfect, but Garnacho isn't all that effective as a starter right now. I would much rather maximise his impact by using him from the bench. I don't feel that bringing Weghorst on as a sub would really serve as any catalyst for change.

The question is what effect WW bring, that playing another player can be seen as a downgrade.

Garnacho may mess up goal scoring chance (WW missed the clearest chance from both teams this game), but I failed to recall when he would be seen a tactical weakness. Garnacho sub this game is just fresh legs.

So the point being. In some games/circumstancemof your bench, you don't need huge impact change. Just replace tired player and maintain the level. WW may not need to be brought on if he were a sub.

 

[Garethw]

We needed a striker, but the striker we brought in is so poor as a striker that we can’t play him as a striker. Jesus Christ my head hurts.

 

[SadlerMUFC]

You can't just "play the kids", there has to be a kid there to play. Very few are Garnacho level talents waiting to break out. Our current batch of centre forward prospects are Joe Hugill and Charlie McNeill. They've gone on loan to Conference and League Two sides respectively.

Weghorst is a lot of things, but he's not a League Two player.

So play Garanacho and put Rashford at striker

 

[amolbhatia50k]

We needed a striker, but the striker we brought in is so poor as a striker that we can’t play him as a striker. Jesus Christ my head hurts.

We were never going to spend with the Glazers on their way out. It’s fine, we got a CF in who can link up and that’s that.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

So play Garanacho and put Rashford at striker

While I’d like to see this in the home leg I do think people sometimes don’t appreciate the benefits of maturity and a calm head in games like this especially away from home. Not to mention defensive discipline etc While we were the better team there was a lot of defensive effort put in my the entire team that contributed to the performance

 

[V.O.]

So play Garanacho and put Rashford at striker

Garnacho's getting a great amount of gametime for his progression as it is. Suddenly starting him every game could easily throw that off. Not to mention that he just physically can't put in the kind of shift we're asking Weghorst to do every few days.

I do wonder if we'll try Sabitzer in the role Weghorst had today going forward, though.

 

[Red in STL]

Garnacho's getting a great amount of gametime for his progression as it is. Suddenly starting him every game could easily throw that off. Not to mention that he just physically can't put in the kind of shift we're asking Weghorst to do every few days.

I do wonder if we'll try Sabitzer in the role Weghorst had today going forward, though.

It isn't could, it's would, Garnacho's worst performances have been in games he started

 

[ti vu]

We were never going to spend with the Glazers on their way out. It’s fine, we got a CF in who can link up and that’s that.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I check the amount of pass and touch stats, WW had the least in both stats from all of our players but Garnacho(Garnacho had less but he only played less than 10 minutes when Barcelona already upped their possession game).

In other games, where he mostly played as CF, it's understandable. This game where he was deployed deeper, in the midst of action, the numbers doesn't back up the "link up play" excuse. He's tidy with his feet and passing, but if you don't receive the ball and get involved (moving speed, positioning), you still don't contribute enough. It's more about the game pass him by, most evidently our 1-1 equalizing goal. Neither having a role in all phases of the sequence of play.

If McTominay had a game like this, I doubt there would be anyone who reasonably argue against this kind of effort only but no quality performance. I swear I had seen McTominay got deservedly criticized for less bad performance (still bad but not this uninvolved).

 

[ti vu]

It's because he throws himself into every possible challenge.

He might only have an 80% chance of winning it, but he will challenge for it. You don't always have to win the ball to be effective.

Stats like this are quite meaningless without context.

This is a bad excuse.

Two games within a week, each game he had one moment where he missed a header where no player came to challenge.

And overall he had every chance to win many of the lost duel. He didn't time his jump well. It's not like he was 10 yards away, and only arrived at last second that he couldn't position himself properly.

 

[Strelok]

I actually think he's doing really well.

He's deceptively quite good on the ball. He has nice touches and he's well able to play the right pass. He's obviously not the most gifted in this area but he's pretty decent, and combined with his relentless pressing (which helps create space for others), he's an asset.

I love his attitude too. Works his ass off and never complains. Such a useful squad player.

Same here. Apart from the missed chance he did pretty well what was asked of him imo. In fact imo he wasn't really prepared for that chance. He was simply making a regular run without expecting much. Terrific ball from Bruno I must say.

 

[dal]

His holdup and linkup play is actually very good and so is his tenacity and work rate.

He played very well, he missed a sitter yes but I still think he offers more than Martial. Rashford is on fire with him.

 

[fergiewherearethou]

His holdup and linkup play is actually very good and so is his tenacity and work rate.

He played very well, he missed a sitter yes but I still think he offers more than Martial. Rashford is on fire with him.

Offensively he offers less than Martial imo, but last night's game suited him.
Imagine having the lazy Martial upfront we would of surely lost the midfield battle.
Weghorst did okay.

 

[harms]

The way some people giving WW credit for just being there is similar to how Telles used to get credit when he first signed. His honeymoon performance against PSG in that group stage game victory was glorified out of proportion. We all know how out of his depth Telles later were found out to be. He's no worse than he was back then.

Not really. I don’t think that any of those that complimented Weghorst on his performance, me included, are in any way deceived about his (lack of) quality or potential. He’s not even remotely close to be good enough for United and we don’t play him for any other reason that simple necessity. And ten Hag knows that better than anyone.

That doesn’t contradict the fact that ten Hag created a unique task for him and he did perform it as good as you could expect him to… and, more importantly, he did significantly influence the game in our favour. Which many on here doesn’t seem to understand at all, not sure if it’s surprising to me or not. If he would’ve scored his chance, like a great striker would, he would’ve exceeded said expectations… he didn’t.

 

[ti vu]

Not really. I don’t think that any of those that complimented Weghorst on his performance, me included, are in any way deceived about his (lack of) quality or potential. He’s not even remotely close to be good enough for United and we don’t play him for any other reason that simple necessity. And ten Hag knows that better than anyone.

That doesn’t contradict the fact that ten Hag created a unique task for him and he did perform it as good as you could expect him to… and, more importantly, he did significantly influence the game in our favour. Which many on here doesn’t seem to understand at all, not sure if it’s surprising to me or not. If he would’ve scored his chance, like a great striker would, he would’ve exceeded said expectations… he didn’t.

Just look at the two post above yours. You see there are posters thought Martial would not offer enough quality in different way, than Weghorst.

Football is emotionally fickle. If the ball instead of hitting the ball, rolled into our net, when Weghorst failed to win the duel against Christensen, we could still say the team play well, but there is no defending Weghorst while question would be raised about why ETH didn't sub him for Maguire. Seeing Weghorst offered very little of everything all game. Toward the end, if we needed an player with aerial ability, Maguire is a better player.

The role Weghorst played IMO is nothing unique, nor effective. I don't think ETH is infallible. He made huge mistake last season assigning Timber to man marking Darwin Nunez for corners, which one of them won Benfica the tie despite Ajax over two legs was the better teams. Fred was assigned, and failed to man mark Alonso in this game could be another sign. ETH may have other reason with Weghorst but on display, it's no good reason IMO.

If it were McTominay to put in same performance like this in same position, same role, I don't think there would be anyone defending McTominay. Here some people defending Weghorst because he's ETH's signing and ETH is hipstering his role into starting position. Criticizing Weghorst is definitely criticize part of ETH decision. Doesn't mean who does that is starting ETH out bandwagon though. More like some of us don't want the similar situation of Darwin Nunez vs Timber obvious mismatch reappear.

Agree to disagree.

 

[Rossa]

He's not really great in the air, is he? I expected Fellaini on steroids, but he's far from that

 

[Loon]

I know Savage is given to ridiculous hyperbole, but stating Weghorst shouldn't be missing gild-edged chances like that if he wants to keep a United shirt is pretty much bang on. Hopefully he can push on, but that miss could be the defining moment of a brief United career.

 

[Fluctuation0161]

No point in slagging him on here. He is a loan signing, covering for our perma-cropped Martial. Loan deals were the only option as we are currently going through the process of selling the club and the transfer budget was squandered in the summer.

I thought he played well tonight. Certain players have a ceiling, and they have to give everything they've got to compete at this level. He is giving his all for us. Got stuck in to challenges, at one point he was clearing the ball from our box like a CDM. He was making runs and bringing players with him, which gave Rashford and Sancho loads of space. He was diving into challenges in that last five minutes and fighting for the ball. Yeah, he's not Oshimen, but he's doing a job out there for us and if Ten Hag keeps picking him, then I back the manager more than some numpty on here.

He didn't play well last night. But no doubt he put in a shift with high Work rate.

 

[RedRonaldo]

If we have 11 players at his level, we will be in the Championship.

 

[Sunny Jim]

I wonder if ETH could use him in other role. Sub maybe?

 

[evil_geko]

He didn't "shoot at keeper", he tried finishing under him/through his legs which many strikers do but didn't come off, nothing terrible there, Sancho missing whole goal was much worse than that but this was Wout so let's overreact.