WEG: I’M FIT FOR PURPOSE
WOUT WEGHORST believes he has been able to make the most of his shock loan move to Manchester United because fellow striker Antony Martial is so “injury-prone”.
Dutch ace Weghorst has started all 18 of United’s games since boss Erik ten Hag (below) was able to seal a deal to cut short the loan the striker had started with Turkish club Besiktas following Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League last year.
Weghorst was under no illusions about the task he faced to get regular football in United’s team, but Martial’s inability to keep himself fully fit has seen the 6ft-6in forward has become Ten Hag’s unexpected go-to guy.
“All Ten Hag had said was that he needed a striker who could fit into his way of playing,” Weghorst recalled. “He certainly did not paint the picture as it is now.
“Anthony Martial was his striker and he was doing fine – but he is injury-prone, and the manager wanted all positions double-staffed.
“That’s what I came for. But Ten Hag did say clearly, ‘It is up to you. You can force things. The best one plays’.
“My dream has always been to get the most out of my career. To tap my ceiling. It makes me proud and happy.”
While Martial’s ongoing fitness issues have put his United future in doubt, Weghorst prides himself on his physical and mental condition. He is obsessive about nutrition and has been training so hard he is much lighter than he was in Turkey.
Weghorst said: “My physique is like a house and has been all through my career. But I have never had an injury and never even had to miss a single match. It’s bizarre, really.
“I always say that 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 resilience.”
Weghorst has been asked to show his flexibility and tireless work ethic by often dropping into a No.10 role behind Marcus Rashford.
The Holland star hasn’t always made friends throughout his career with his obsessive desire to get to the top. And the Dutchman admits his current lack of goals is a concern.
He added: “Sometimes I think I am doing really well for United – but then I remember I’m still only on two goals.
“I prefer to look at what is positive. You only experience how big United is when you are part of it.
“You have to find a way to deal with it, but I manage to be myself even in this environment.”