The Netherlands striker has scored two goals in 18 appearances for United since joining the Red Devils on loan in January.
Weghorst’s underwhelming return has led to fierce criticism from a host of pundits, with Old Trafford legend Paul Scholes claiming he does not have the quality needed to play for United.
Scholes’ former Manchester United team-mate Peter Schmeichel agrees with that sentiment and has described Weghorst as the ‘odd one out’ in Ten Hag’s squad.
Sports broadcaster Richard Keys, meanwhile, has called Weghorst the ‘worst player he’s ever seen in a Manchester United jersey’ and claims Ten Hag’s side are effectively ‘playing with 10 men’ with him in the team.
Despite the criticism from pundits and some fans, Ten Hag has continued to defend Weghorst, insisting he brings more to the team than just goals.
Weghorst’s spell at Old Trafford has coincided with a successful period for the club, who have won the EFL Cup and reached the latter stages of the FA Cup and Europa League.
Assessing his stint at Manchester United, Weghorst said during the international break: ‘I’ve played a lot of matches and it shows the trust in me. It also shows that I am doing a good job for the team.
‘That was the thing I wanted when I came here – to contribute and try and help the club to be successful to win trophies.
‘We have one now. We have two more to go with the Europa League and FA Cup, and we want to get as high as possible in the table and definitely top four for the Champions League.
‘So it just shows me that I am being part of it. And being part of us being successful and that appreciation, that’s a good thing.’
Weghorst spent an underwhelming season at Burnley before joining Besiktas on loan last summer and then moving to Manchester United on another temporary deal in January.
While the 30-year-old has not been a prolific figure in front of goal, he did help United win their first trophy since 2017 as they beat Newcastle in the League Cup final at Wembley.
‘The match against Newcastle at Wembley was a great experience, a lovely atmosphere in the stadium, it has something special,’ Weghorst added.
‘We want to win trophies. The one we have now just showed us that we can do it again; we are all hungry for more, all of us.’
Manchester United resume their 2022-23 campaign on April 2 against top-four rivals Newcastle United. Later in the month they face Sevilla in the quarter-finals of the Europa League and Brighton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
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