Erik ten Hag has contradicted himself over Wout Weghorst at Manchester United

"Most purchases have been average and at United average is not good enough."

So Erik ten Hag told Voetbal International in January. A week later, United signed the average-at-best Wout Weghorst. Weghorst is actually below average.

He is indisputably not good enough. Two goals in 19 starts - both of them rebounds. Ie. with the goalkeeper sprawled on the turf and the goal open. Even Weghorst couldn't miss those.

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This correspondent wrote 11 days into Weghorst's United career he is an extra body and the 30-year-old is barely that at times. He has not improved the United team or squad, contrary to Ten Hag's defence on Friday.

It is not a coincidence the first time Weghorst and Anthony Martial were available the latter replaced the former after an hour at St James' Park. Martial had United's only goalscoring opportunity worthy of the Match of the Day highlights package.

Weghorst admitted he was "s--t" after failing to score for the Netherlands against Gibraltar last week. That summary would accurately describe his contribution against Newcastle, where he had fewer touches than either goalkeeper.

It is not entirely Weghorst's fault. The United players are reluctant to play the ball to him as he is too cumbersome and too impotent. A teammate at Burnley noticed Weghorst gets shorter when he jumps and United's wingers and full-backs demur whenever there is space to cross.

They were not impressed with Weghorst at Turf Moor, where they say he spoke "as though he was Lewandowski". Weghorst has as many goals for United as he did for Burnley in 20 games.

Weghorst has been overexposed and overplayed but whenever Martial next cries off Ten Hag cannot place his