Marcus Rashford forces Erik ten Hag to change Man Utd plan with Wout Weghorst in new role
The Dutchman, who cut short his loan at Besiktas in January to spend the remainder of the season at Old Trafford, had been expected to almost exclusively operate as the focal point for United’s attack – or at least that was the plan.
Weghorst has only scored once for the Red Devils having played in eight games prior to the clash at the Nou Camp. His technical limitations in the final third are obvious. But whilst the the Dutchman is struggling for goals, Rashford is thriving and Ten Hag wants to make the most of his red-hot star’s purple patch.
Whilst Rashford is often deployed from a wide position, many of his recent goals have come through the middle and that is what United opted to do from minute one in Spain. Anthony Martial’s injury means there is room for manoeuvre in the front three.
The reshuffle, which saw Rashford play as the main man, meant a rejig elsewhere. The decision was vindicated when United’s No.10 smashed home their equaliser, just minutes after they’d fallen behind, from the tightest of angles as his irresistible form continued.
His use as the side’s attacking focal point was made possible with Weghorst dropping into a No.8 role, much deeper than he would usually play. For many, that is a bizarre decision, given the Dutchman is by no means known for his build-up play. The 30-year-old was coming so deep at times that he was level with Fred, and even helping Casemiro on the edge of his own penalty area.
