Wout Weghorst admits Erik ten Hag was correct to replace him at half-time during Manchester United's dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Barcelona.
United sealed their place in the last 16 of the Europa League with a second half performance turning the match at Old Trafford on its head after Erik ten Hag’s side had trailed at the break via a penalty from Robert Lewandowski.
That had put the Red Devils on course for an exit following last week’s pulsating 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou but second half strikes from Fred and Antony ensured they completed an impressive win from behind to advance. That keeps their hopes of European glory alive this campaign, with ten Hag's men still in four competitions.
Weghorst has done relatively well since joining on a loan deal from Besiktas as he has started in 11 matches for Ten Hag’s side and despite finding the net just once in that time – in the EFL Cup semi-final win at Nottingham Forest – he has added energy to United’s attacks and provided a foil for Marcus Rashford.
The Dutch international was replaced at the break on Thursday night as Antony came on in his place, with the former Ajax star netting the winner with a sensational strike. Weghorst's exit was a move that prompted a second half turnaround, as ten Hag switched the positions of all four players in attacking positions - a move which paid off.
Asked why he thought he was replaced at the break, Weghorst explained after the game: “Of course we were not satisfied, he was not satisfied. It was not the way we wanted to play. We didn’t do the things that we wanted.
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“[The manager wanted] more energy, more belief, more fight – fighting our way back into the match and creating good momentum, good atmosphere, good feeling. And I think second half, Antony came in, great of course.”
Weghorst continued: “I think also the match-up that was needed. We knew they were vulnerable in the back, the runs in behind, that was something we couldn’t do like we wanted in the first half. So unfortunate for me today, but I think the second half was a great one for us and a really good result.”
Weghorst is traditionally a central striker but has played in a deeper role for Unite in recent games and he diplomatically added: “Of course I have played in some different positions, it’s also new to me.
“What I can bring to the team? I hope lots of energy, I hope the belief. Of course I am someone who is giving a lot of effort against the ball also, try to get high pressure on the opponent, get the guys around me free.”
Weghorst added: “Of course, get myself also free and scoring goals so that’s definitely a point we need to improve, because I know I’m capable of bringing that also to the team.
"That’s something that so far hasn’t worked as we wanted, as we planned, but overall I’m just somebody who is giving his all to the team with a lot of energy and trying to win all these trophies we’re still capable of.”
