Mason Mount faces first Man Utd run-in after taking Bruno Fernandes position
Mason Mount made his extremely anticipated debut for Manchester United on Wednesday because the £60million signing received to grips together with his new environment and team-mates, however the midfielder is already marking his stamp on the squad. The former Chelsea star began within the 2-0 win over Leeds United, only a week after sealing his high-profile change, however he has already probably put a goal on his again with captain Bruno Fernandes.
United strolled to a cushty victory because of targets from youth graduates Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill, and United followers would have been delighted to see their new signing Mount in motion for the primary time as he performed the primary 45 minutes.
Mount made an immediate impression and nearly scored on his non-competitive debut with a pleasant chip. And it appears he has wasted no time in assuming his tasks within the group within the absence of a number of stars, together with Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, as Ten Hag fielded a youthful group and stuffed the bench with academy prospects.
Mount was Chelsea’s nook taker throughout his time on the membership and likewise took a lot of their free-kicks. It was this main position that helped him rise to prominence within the group beneath Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel, and he has proven a willingness to tackle the identical half at United as he whipped in deliveries in opposition to Leeds.
As the membership’s largest summer season signing and one of many membership’s high earners, Mount will probably be anticipating to be handed the most effective likelihood to impress and rack up targets and assists. But in his method is one other artistic mastermind, and Fernandes won’t like being advised to share or play second fiddle to Mount.
The Portuguese playmaker will not be solely United’s trusted set-piece specialist almost about free-kicks, corners and penalties, can be more and more more likely to be handed the captaincy on a everlasting foundation subsequent season.
The 28-year-old has by no means been afraid to talk his thoughts, calling out Antony and Cristiano Ronaldo prior to now on the pitch, and he’s unlikely to cease if Mount will get beneath his pores and skin. When Ronaldo was on the membership between September 2021 and November 2022, the Portuguese veteran took over set-pieces from Fernandes, and it impacted the midfielder’s affect on the pitch in addition to the scoresheet and he could be hesitant to permit a repeat with Mount.
At the Ulevaal Stadium in Oslo, it was clear that Mount had been enlisted as a attainable alternative for Fernandes because the free-kick skilled. After the match, Ten Hag dropped a touch that he might change his listing of takers after admitting they should rating extra from dead-ball conditions.
When requested particularly about Mount’s 45-minute show, Ten Hag advised MUTV: “Ah, great. [It is his] first time but we could expect this [level of performance].
“I believe for him it is simply his first as a result of he has a lot expertise and I’m positive we are going to take a lot pleasure from him and he’ll contribute to our efficiency, completely. We want gamers who internet [free-kicks].”
It remains to be not clear how Ten Hag plans to combine Mount into the group with Fernandes and Casemiro within the midfield and the reply could not arrive till later in pre-season when their internationals return.
Fernandes enjoys the liberty that being a No 10 guarantees, however it’s the similar position Mount thrived in at Chelsea, though his power and all-round capabilities would counsel he might play as a box-to-box midfielder.
Either method, he has proven already that he’s not afraid to step on the toes of his team-mates as he goals to make successful of his Old Trafford transfer. Fernandes might not be prepared to face for seeing his position lowered within the group, nevertheless, and Mount will should be cautious of antagonising one of the crucial influential gamers on the membership so quickly after his arrival.