Siddharth Juyal
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes thinks Mason Mount upsets the tactical balance within the team
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes delivered an honest assessment of the struggle Mason Mount is facing at the club. Mount has failed to play the full 90 minutes for United apart from just one game so far this season.
The 24-year-old played the full game against Newcastle United in the 3-0 Carabao Cup loss at Old Trafford. The England international failed to create substantial chances for his team throughout the game. Furthermore, Tino Livramento easily shrugged off Mount to provide an assist for Newcastle’s first goal.
The Englishman started the opening two games for the Red Devils but suffered an injury against Tottenham Hotspur. The injury kept Mount sidelined till the end of the September international break, delaying his adjustment with the new team.
Scholes told the Webby and O’Neill YouTube channel that Mount’s lack of game time is due to the tactical imbalance. He said:
“It upsets the balance of the team. It upsets the legs he has in midfield. I really think he wanted to play him with Bruno Fernandes but the two of them playing in the team, it just doesn’t seem to be working now. It’s difficult to make a case for Mason because he’s not played enough games, so trying to come on here and say ‘he should be playing’, I don’t know because he hasn’t played.”
United signed Mount from Chelsea during the summer transfer window to bolster their midfield with his creativity and energy. United manager Erik ten Hag prioritized the signing of the 24-year-old as he perfectly fits the profile the manager desired.
Ten Hag used Mount in a deeper role, contrary to the advanced role he played during his time at Chelsea. The England International has failed to gel with his new teammates so far, falling from the pecking order consequently.
The United boss has deployed a rigid 4-2-4 formation in the last two games. The formation requires a double-pivot responsible for linking the defence with Bruno Fernandes in the advanced midfield position.
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Mount played the second half of the last game against Luton Town before the November international break. The England international came on as a replacement for an injured Christian Eriksen just before the halftime whistle.
Mount needs to prove to Ten Hag that he can play in this new tactical approach without disrupting the team. The 24-year-old is versatile and on paper, he should be able to play Eriksen’s role with the quality he possesses. However, the reality has been vastly different as Mount’s first challenge now is earning his way into the starting eleven.
