In Manchester United’s third-round Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace, Mason Mount put in a strong first-half performance.
After missing five weeks of action due to injury, the 24-year-old midfielder who reportedly paid £60 million to join United from Chelsea in the summer started playing again on Tuesday night.
And he had an immediate effect for Erik ten Hag’s team, controlling play in the middle of the field before contributing directly to his first goal while wearing a United jersey.
Alejandro Garnacho had just given them the lead when Mount curled in a brilliantly weighted cross that Casemiro pounced on to increase their advantage.
When linking play with Hannibal Mejbri and another summer arrival, Sofyan Amrabat, Mount, who generated more opportunities than any other player in the first 45 minutes [3], continued to appear threatening moving forward.
Erik ten Hag believes Mount has all he needs to thrive this season in a deeper midfield role, but he needs more time to adjust.
The United number 7 has had trouble settling in thus far, but Ten Hag is certain that he will prosper in the months to come.
“I think he can [play deeper],” he said. “Already, we have seen it in pre-season, but it’s what I’ve said, definitely we have to work on many facets of our game but also that facet about midfield and the cooperation, how we have to set it.
“I’m sure we will get it [right], but it’s not coming overnight and [if] it was easier then everyone could do it.”
Ten Hag likened the situation to Christian Eriksen’s arrival.
Eriksen, who often played further forward before his move to Old Trafford last summer, switched up his game to become more of a threat from deep.
The Dutch manager believes Mount has all the qualities to flourish in that same role.
“Christian Eriksen, last season, came in and had the same,” he added. “First time in his life he played in a deeper role and that was the ambition from Christian and then also the ambition from Mason.
“And so he wants to be more multifunctional. That’s the way I see football, but as I say, it will not come overnight. There’s a process we have to go through, but he’s very game-intelligent.
“He has the technical abilities, has also good vision on the ball. He knows how to deal with the ball. He has the dynamics, don’t forget that. He has the mentality. So, all the ingredients are there to do it.”
Thoughts on Mount’s first-half performance against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night?
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