Aheed Abrar
Erik ten Hag trusts Mason Mount to adapt to Manchester United demands
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag trusts Mason Mount to adapt to a deeper role in the middle of the park at the Old Trafford side.
The England international had an underwhelming game in his competitive debut for the Red Devils against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. We took on the Molineux Stadium side at home and were fortunate to come out with a 1-0 victory.
Mount started in the engine room alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. The 24-year-old was substituted in the second half after failing to make a big enough impact.
Speaking to the media via Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag cited the example of Christian Eriksen. The gaffer believes the former Chelsea star can make a place for himself in the team in a similar manner.
“Ah but Christian Eriksen last season came in and had the same. First time in his life he played in a deeper role, that was the ambition for Christian but also the ambition for Mason.
“He can [adapt], already we have seen it in pre-season. What I said definitely, we have to work on many facts of our game, but also midfield, cooperation, how we set it. I am sure we will get it. But it’s not coming overnight. If it was easier, everyone could do it.”
United signed the Denmark international in the summer of 2022 as a free agent. Initially, the Dutch manager experimented with playing the midfielder in several positions. Subsequently, the former Brentford star fit in alongside Casemiro in the double pivot.
Eriksen and the former Real Madrid star formed an impressive duo at the club last season. The Danish and Brazil nationals were the go-to players for Ten Hag in the previous campaign.
However, in their absence, the Old Trafford side struggled to get positive results. The former Brentford star picked up an injury in January and missed a big chunk of the 2022/23 term.
On Eriksen’s return to action, the 31-year-old looked lethargic. Therefore, Mount’s arrival in the ongoing transfer window to United is arguably a welcomed one.
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At Chelsea, the English national played in the number eight role on a few occasions. Therefore, he is capable of doing the job. However, it will evidently take the midfielder time to adapt to new surroundings.
