Wout Weghorst has scored just one goal since arriving at Manchester United on loan in January and fans have been left scratching their heads given Cristiano Ronaldo’s treatment
Wout Weghorst started Man Utd’s Europa League clash on Thursday (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United fans have slammed Erik ten Hag for his perceived Wout Weghorst hypocrisy after making comments about Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the season.
Weghorst has been a regular feature of Ten Hag’s side since his loan move from Burnley in January. The Dutchman has given his compatriot 14 starts despite the striker’s finishing leaving plenty to be desired, having netted just once for the Old Trafford club.
And Weghorst was handed yet another start for the Europa League last-16 clash with Real Betis on Thursday, leaving fans baffled as to what the Red Devils manager sees in him.
Ten Hag’s perceived ‘favouritism’ was more startling given he dropped Ronaldo for not scoring enough prior to his contract being scrapped late last year.
Ronaldo scored three goals for United but fell out with the Dutchman over his lack of game time, leading to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner leaving the stadium early and Ten Hag openly saying the forward should be judged on his current form.
Addressing Ronaldo’s form and decision to drop him, Ten Hag said in October: “He has to be aware that you get judged by the moment and how you are acting today.
Erik ten Hag has been dubbed a ‘hypocrite’ by Man Utd fans
Cristiano Ronaldo was frozen out by Erik ten Hag earlier in the season
“Especially in top sport, it is about today – it is not about age or about reputation. When you do top sport, you get judged by the moment and you act.”
One angry United fan tweeted after Thursday’s starting line-ups were released: “Cristiano Ronaldo had to ‘prove himself’ to Erik Ten Hag, but he hands Wout Weghorst his fifteenth start in a row off the back of a 7-0 hammering to Liverpool.”
Cristiano Ronaldo fell out with Erik ten Hag over a lack of game time (Image: Getty Images)
Another wrote: “Weghorst starts today’s game vs Beltis?? His 15th consecutive starts, scoring just 1 goal for Man United.
“Meanwhile Erik Ten Hag on Ronaldo: ‘you are judged on what you are now, and Cristiano himself, has to prove to me he can start games’. His favorites are exceptions it seems.”
And a third added: “Yep Ten Hag is completely biased towards Dutch players, he ain’t even hiding it anymore.
“Dropped Ronaldo when he was going through a rough phase, but won’t drop Antony and Weghorst cuz they have got a Dutch passport.”
