Erik ten Hag’s first actions with Wout Weghorst shows he means business

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Erik ten Hag is not hanging about introducing Wout Weghorst to his methods at Manchester United.

The Dutch striker was pictured in first team training on Sunday, with Manchester United already preparing for this week’s fixture against Crystal Palace.

At full-time against City, Bruno Fernandes explained to BT Sports how they would be straight back to preparing the Palace fixture the following day.

Wout Weghorst’s involvement in training, this early, suggests he will have a part to play at Selhurst Park.

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Weghorst should be ready to go

The Standard had reported Manchester United intended to hand Wout Weghorst his debut against Manchester City at the weekend.

However, United were unable to get the deal done before the 12pm deadline on Friday, with a move only completed in the evening.

Weghorst was said to be ‘desperate’ to play against City, The Metro reported. Midway through the game it looked like the paperwork issue could have been costly.

Manchester United began the second half without a striker after Anthony Martial suffered another untimely injury. Erik ten Hag admitted that putting Antony up front ‘did not work’.

The extent of Martial’s injury is unclear. But what is apparent, is that Erik ten Hag is taking no chances, by getting Wout Weghorst into training right away.

The loanee is only at United for a short stint, and he will want to make every second count. Erik ten Hag is clearly gearing him up to be part of the squad.

United face Palace away on Wednesday night in an inconveniently timed re-arranged fixture, ahead of a trip to Arsenal on Sunday, who have the weekend off.

There is no time to waste, with the fixture schedule absolutely relentless. By getting Weghorst into training right away, on the same day his squad number was still being announced to the media, Ten Hag has shown he means business.