Newcastle United took a big step towards securing Champions League football with an impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
Eddie Howe’s side leapfrogged the Red Devils in the Premier League table to cement third place, with Joe Willock and Callum Wilson scoring the goals in front of a passionate St. James’ Park crowd.
While the hosts racked up 22 shots, Erik ten Hag’s men registered a solitary attempt on target. With the visitors struggling to generate a spark in attack, a Man Utd legend wasted no time in questioning the club’s current first-choice striker, Wout Weghorst.
Speaking as a co-commentator on Sky Sports, former United right-back Gary Neville said:
“He does play his part, but it’s a big issue. If we’re being honest, I don’t think he deserves to be criticised – I think he’s doing his very best. He works as hard as he possibly can, but he just lacks the quality that a player in that position should have at Manchester United.
“He’s filling in, with Martial being injured, Ronaldo’s left, Cavani gone at the start of the season. Manchester United don’t have a centre forward really.”
Neville’s comments on Weghorst came just before Sky Sports displayed a graphic showing the players with the fewest touches during the first 55 minutes of the match. Having recorded just seven touches at that stage, Weghorst’s name was right at the top of the list.
The Dutchman was substituted on 62 minutes, with Anthony Martial taking his place. Jadon Sancho replaced Antony during the same substitution window but United remained toothless in attack.
Since joining Man Utd on loan from Burnley in January, Weghorst has only managed to score twice in 19 appearances. It is also worth noting that the 30-year-old has failed to find the back of the net in nine Premier League matches for the Red Devils.
Naturally, Man Utd will be in the market for an elite-level striker when the summer transfer window opens. Until then, however, Neville and other ex-United pundits may continue to debate Weghorst.
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