'Weghorst contributes to the team' - Keane makes Ronaldo dig

Robin Bairner

• 27 Feb 2023 09:25 GMT
• 4 min read

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has hailed what Wout Weghorst has brought to Erik ten Hag’s side, apparently taking a dig at Cristiano Ronaldo in the process.

Ronaldo departed the Red Devils in November after speaking out against the club management after finding himself repeatedly benched by Ten Hag.

Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr: Goals, assists, results & fixtures

With a hole that needed to be plugged, Man Utd moved for Burnley striker Weghorst during the January transfer window, pushing for his loan to Besiktas to be cut short so he could move instead to Old Trafford.

The Dutchman has only managed one goal in 12 appearances for the club, but after helping them to a 2-0 win over Newcastle in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley, he was praised by pundits for his mentality and industry.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo get a Carabao Cup winners’ medal?

Speaking to Sky Sports, Newcastle legend Les Ferdinand highlighted his contribution to the second goal, which was ultimately credited as an own goal to Sven Botman after Marcus Rashford had his shot deflected into the net.

“Weghorst ran and he ran and he ran for Man Utd today. He allows Rashford to take up those spaces,” the ex-England striker said.

Keane took his chance, adding: “He looks like a good personality. OK, he’s not going to get you lots of goals but he’s contributing to the team. That’s what the game’s about. Not everyone will put the ball in the back of the net, but it’s what the lads do around him. A proper team performer.”

Keane on Ronaldo

Keane has not come out and directly criticised Ronaldo, who he played with during his Manchester United days, but he has repeatedly indicated that the team is better without him.

Speaking after the Carabao Cup semi-final win over Nottingham Forest, he said: “I think Ronaldo’s departure has helped the manager and the club.

“No one wanted that to be hanging over the second half of the season and it should have been dealt with in the summer.

“That whole Ronaldo situation, he obviously wasn't going to sit on the bench and be happy with it.

“They've now dealt with it and now it's not hanging over the club anymore.”

Keane might not be explicitly saying it, but it’s clear that he believes Weghorst is a better fit for this Man Utd team than Ronaldo.