29 March 2023 , 09:00
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Much-maligned Manchester United forward Wout Weghorst has been told he is 'not good enough' for the Red Devils or the Netherlands national team by Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit.
The 30-year-old has come in for some serious criticism since his loan switch to Old Trafford from Championship outfit Burnley and has found goals hard to come by. It would appear as if Weghorst has carried over those same struggles onto the international level, after another disappointing display for the Oranje.
In 18 games for United, Weghorst has scored just twice and he drew another blank for his country during their 3-0 win over Gibraltar on Monday evening. He cut a frustrated figure after spurning a number of chances and is unlikely to have been boosted by the reaction to his performance.
Gullit was particularly scathing in his review, as he told Ziggo Sport : "I always look at him in a weird way, I have a lot of admiration for him, but at the same time, I think… he is not good enough for Manchester United and the Orange.
‘Every now and then you see defects."
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Weghorst was notably hard on himself, as he conceded: "Whether it’s just bad luck. Ultimately, it’s also quality. You have to be honest about that too. You can call it bad luck.
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Wout Weghorst had a night to forget against Gibraltar while on Netherlands duty"But that last ball of mine was allowed in. As a striker, you know that you can score in these kinds of games. Then you can also remain playing for the entire match, then you would like to repay the trust. That sucks."
Despite all the negativity surrounding Weghorst's run of form, Ten Hag has come to his defence time and time again.
Speaking earlier this month to the club website, the United boss responded to intense scrutiny over why Weghorst continues to be selected.
"He is often in the right position, then he fails [to score], but he keeps going," Ten Hag claimed. "He showed great personality and character [and] not only in this game.
“I think he has intelligence from positions, he is a very good anticipator, of course I tell him to [help] linking up there, which he is also doing as a high striker.
"But in that position, [he is] linking up and getting in front of the goal when crosses are coming in. As for the rest, there is the defending part which he is also very good at."
Sitting third in the Premier League as things stand, United look on course to qualify for the Champions League, which in truth is likely to inspire an upgrade when it comes to their options up front.