Manchester United’s low-cost Weghorst deal highlights critical error made in January 2022

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Manchester United entered this transfer window needing investment to add to the team up front after Cristiano Ronaldo‘s departure.

A lack of funds for permanent deals [via BBC Sport] set up this window in a less than ideal way. United did not want to be left with nobody, and likewise were wary of committing to a stop-gap option on a permanent deal.

An ideal solution has been identified with Wout Weghorst. The experienced Dutch striker has signed a loan deal until the end of the season.

Weghorst’s deal was confirmed on Friday night, been assigned the number 27 shirt, and has already taken part in his first training session.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023

January 2022 error

Manchester United’s 2021/22 season was one to forget. But back in January 2022, it did not have to be that way. The board were to blame for the way it unravelled.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick presented potential signings to the board, and was snubbed. Luis Diaz, Dusan Vlahovic, and Julian Alvarez were overlooked, the German later explained, via ESPN.

A striker may not necessarily have been the immediate priority back then. A midfielder was required, and bargain moves for Denis Zakaria and Boubacar Kamara were ignored.

But even following the argument that the board did not want to sign a player who may not have been wanted by the next permanent manager, is blown out of the water by Wout Weghorst’s addition.

Surely United could have identified a loan signing or two, to add to the squad and give Ralf Rangnick’s side a temporary boost? He certainly could have picked out one or two.

The board’s decision not to do anything, sent a message, that the club were effectively punting on the season, showing a lack of ambition. A loan deal would have been the bare minimum, and not even this was done.

United paid the price later in the season, with the players and fans enthusiasm drained amid poor displays, just wanting the campaign to end, and a new manager appointed.

Ralf Rangnick deserves some flak for the way it panned out too, but he would have stood a chance if he could have brought in one or two players to suit his style, even temporarily, and it would have lifted both the squad, and the fanbase.

Weghorst gives United a lift

Wout Weghorst probably would not have cracked the top 20 of any Manchester United fans’ list of dream striker signings, however, the Dutchman could be a very effective addition.

On a loan deal, it’s an astute piece of business, providing cover in a position the club desperately require it.

This was all United needed 12 months ago. A new face, who could plug the gaps in the squad, and add competition.

New signings mid-season can provide a huge boost, giving the squad an extra jolt of energy. Weghorst will certainly do that.

We have seen it before, with Bruno Fernandes in 2020, but don’t forget that for a few weeks, even a loan deal for Odion Ighalo gave United a boost, and that may have continued if not for Covid.

A loan deal last year could have gone a long way to making the second half of the season far less painful than it needed to be.

United ended January 2022 in fourth place. By time the season ended, the team scraped sixth on the final day.

Erik ten Hag having power is the real difference

Manchester United may have learned from their mistake. However, this is probably giving the club a little too much credit.

The real difference is manager Erik ten Hag, who actually has authority, and the power to get things done.

By comparison, Ralf Rangnick never stood a chance. He was set up as a fall guy, with a potential position of power later down the line, which was undermined from the very start. No wonder he didn’t hang about.

Ten Hag has the strength of character, and job security and power, to be absolutely insistent that the club find a way to bring in a new player when required, with compromise all round, via the loan route.

Ralf Rangnick simply didn’t have this a year ago, dismissed by the board when he went asking for new recruits.

United paid the price for the board’s disinterest last season. This time around, United can reap the rewards, of having an energetic, impact making player join the club at a key time in the season.

Ten Hag’s side may even improve on the current position of fourth, rather than regress down the table like a year ago. Weghorst’s addition can be the difference maker Erik ten Hag and the playing squad need.