Erik ten Hag has been "getting away with it" according to Paul Merson, who cannot understand his use of Wout Weghorst as a No 10.
The Dutchman was a January signing, joining on loan as United looked to plug gaps in their attacking line. Anthony Martial remains a long-term absentee and Weghorst has been a regular starter since arriving, but has been used in several different roles.
He originally led the line with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho supporting him from wider positions. In recent weeks though Ten Hag has deployed Weghorst in a deeper role, which has surprised many - including Merson.
He told Sky Sports: "The manager, for me, has been getting away with it. Yes, he’s done great in a way. But Wout Weghorst as a No 10, I’m not having that. How is he a No 10? How is the manager getting away with that?
"It’s Manchester United Football Club and you’ve got Weghorst as a 10 – he can’t turn and run, he can’t pass through the eye of a needle. What is the thinking? I’m not blaming Ten Hag because they lost, but why play Marcus Rashford against Virgil van Dijk? He plays out wide every week.
"You’ve got Liverpool ’s weakest defender in Trent Alexander-Arnold having a free ride. Trent wouldn’t have believed his luck. Man Utd got it tactically wrong. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the set-up of the team – there is only one manager who could have got away with that and that is Ten Hag."
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The United boss first trialed the new tactic in a 2-2 European draw with Barcelona at the Nou Camp. He explained his thinking after the game: “I think it worked tonight. Wout did well in that position, which I know he can do. It gave us variation with Jadon and Bruno coming into the half spaces and getting on the ball and the full-backs joining it. We had a lot of variation and a lot of opportunities.”
Weghorst, who previously scored twice for Burnley in the season they were relegated, is yet to notch for United in the league with his strikes coming in the cup competitions. The Dutchman has found himself in the firing line this week following his actions before his side's 7-0 drubbing at Liverpool.
He touched the 'This is Anfield' sign as he walked out and has since explained: “From the national team, I know that Virgil always touches that sign and I went to stop him touching it to try and wind him up before the game."
