Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim made significant investments in last season’s struggling front line, signing Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Bryan Mbeumo over the summer. The triumvirate was anticipated to breathe new life into the Red Devils’ assault, yet an ex-striker called the ‘worst player in United history’ is outperforming them all.
In 2024/25, the Portuguese head coach – who did, in fairness, make it to the Europa League final – led the 20-time Premier League champions to their lowest-ever position (15th), winning only 11 of their 38 league matches.
That is largely due to their ability – or lack thereof – in the last third. Their defensive record of 54 goals conceded was better than that of eighth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion and only three goals worse than Aston Villa, who finished sixth. However, 44 goals was the division’s fifth-lowest total; only the relegated three and Everton scored fewer.
The ‘worst player in United history’ is outscoring Mbeumo, Sesko, and Cunha.
Amorim has had a rollercoaster start to 2025/26 as he prepares for what could be his first full season in charge at Old Trafford; they were knocked out of the League Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby Town, beat Chelsea 2-1 in bizarre circumstances, and outplayed Arsenal in their Premier League opener in August, despite ultimately losing.
It has always been assumed that performers who struggle to light up the Theatre of Dreams will go for pastures new and re-find their feet. Scott McTominay at Napoli comes to mind, but there are other examples as well. However, there may be a forgotten star that was signed as a stopgap option at the top in January 2023.
And that is Wout Weghorst. The huge Dutchman, who is on loan from Burnley, was signed by Erik ten Hag two and a half years ago, but as many feared, he is struggling to find form at one of England’s and the world’s biggest clubs. He scored only twice for United.
Now on the books of Ajax in his home country, the 33-year-old’s goals are flying in all directions. His debut season for the Dutch team saw him score 11 goals, and he’s started 2025/26 in even greater form, with five goals in five appearances across all competitions. This includes his recent brace against Sparta Rotterdam at Het Kasteel.
In comparison, Mbeumo, widely regarded as one of the top Premier League players right now, scored twice in August against Grimsby and Burnley. Cunha has yet to score in United colours despite playing limited minutes due to an injury and other factors, while Sesko has scored in consecutive games. Overall, the trio has scored four goals, one less than Weghorst on his own.
Wout Weghorst, Club Career
Club
Games
Goals
Assists
VfL Wolfsburg
144
70
22
AZ Alkmaar
86
45
13
Hercales Almelo.
73
24
8
FC Emmen
66
21
0
Ajax
39
16
3
Manchester United
31
2
3
Hoffenheim
30
7
4
Burnley
22
2
3
Besiktas
18
9
4
Richard Keys, while not the best centre-forward to ever grace Manchester, was never afraid to say what he thought about Weghorst. “It’s his decision to keep playing Wout Weghorst,” he wrote about Ten Hag’s decision to keep playing him in his blog. “It’s not Weghorst’s fault, but he has to be the worst player I’ve seen in a United jersey.
Keys’ scathing assessment of the ex-Wolfsburg and AZ Alkmaar striker came after Ten Hag’s men were humiliated in a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of arch-rivals Liverpool. Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah all grabbed braces as Weghorst and Co failed to muster anything exciting going forward. Questioning Ten Hag, Keys continued:
“He’s a bang ordinary No.9, who couldn’t get in a struggling Burnley team, but what on earth possesses Seven Hag to think he’s a sumptuous 10? One who can ‘wear the tuxedo’ as the Americans say. Come on. It’s a joke and the manager has got to give up pretending that Weghorst has got something to offer.
“He is not a ‘pressing monster’. He doesn’t’make runs’ since he is unable to run. And he doesn’t score goals,” he added, before asserting that he was not ready to start for United. “You can’t start him; instead, push Fernandes to the left and leave £80 million Sancho on the bench.” Erik is too clever. “Way too clever.”
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