Wout Weghorst scored two goals in 18 appearances for Manchester United (Image: Getty)

Wout Weghorst has defended his form for Manchester United, insisting he is doing “good work” for the team and has earned Erik ten Hag’s trust.

The Dutch striker has scored twice in 18 appearances for United since joining the Red Devils in January.

Weghorst’s disappointing return was heavily criticized by a host of pundits, with Old Trafford legend Paul Scholes claiming he lacked the quality needed to play for United.

Peter Schmeichel, Scholes’ former Manchester United teammate, agrees with this sentiment, describing Weghorst as Ten Hag’s “odd duck in the mouth”.

Sports channel Richard Keys, meanwhile, called Weghorst the “worst player he has ever seen in a Manchester United shirt” and claims that Ten Hag’s team actually plays “with 10 men” with him in the team.

Despite criticism from pundits and some fans, Ten Hag has continued to defend Weghorst, insisting he brings more to the team than just goals.

Weghorst’s time at Old Trafford coincided with a successful spell for the club winning the EFL Cup and reaching the final stages of the FA Cup and Europa League.

A number of pundits have criticized the Dutch striker (Image: Getty)

Weghorst evaluated his time at Manchester United during the international break: “I’ve played a lot of games and that shows the confidence in me. It also shows that I’m doing well for the team.

“That’s what I wanted when I came here: to contribute and try to help the club succeed and win trophies.

“We have one now. We have two more ahead of us in the Europa League and the FA Cup and we want to be as high as possible in the table and certainly in the top four of the Champions League.

“So it just shows me I’m a part of it.” And to be part of our success and this appreciation, that’s a good thing.”

Weghorst spent a disappointing season at Burnley before joining Besiktas on loan last summer and Manchester United in January on a new fixed-term contract.

Despite not being a productive figure in front of goal, the 30-year-old helped United lift their first trophy since 2017 when they beat Newcastle in the League Cup final at Wembley.

“The game against Newcastle at Wembley Stadium was a great experience, there’s a great atmosphere in the stadium, there’s something special about it,” added Weghorst.

“We want to win prizes. The ones we just showed we can redo; we’re all hungry for more, all of us.”

Manchester United will resume the 2022-23 season against top-four rivals Newcastle United on April 2. Later in the month, they will meet Sevilla in the quarter-finals of the Europa League and Brighton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.