Siddharth Juyal
Former Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov provided his analysis of Mason Mount and his struggling start to the United’s career
Former Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov assessed the struggling start of Mason Mount in the United jersey. The 24-year-old currently sidelines himself with an injury, awaiting a report of the tests to assess its duration
Mount played the first two Premier League games of the current season for the Red Devils. However, the England international suffered an injury during the second game in a 2-0 loss against Tottenham Hotspur in August.
Mount returned after the September international break but failed to secure the starting role under the manager Erik ten Hag. The 24-year-old has only completed 90 minutes in one game against Newcastle United in a 3-0 Carabao Cup loss.
The Englishman failed to create substantial threats for the Red Devils despite his team dominating the possession. Furthermore, Timo Livramento went through Mount effortlessly, embarrassing the midfielder as he assisted for Newcastle’s first goal.
Speaking to Betfair (h/t DAZN), Berbatov talked about Mount’s struggle to fit into the system Ten Hag has employed. He said:
“It looks like he doesn’t know how to fit into that system. He looks a bit lost. He was bought for big money, which brings big expectations, but not only that, his stress levels will be high. It’s not working out, so now is the opportunity to stay concentrated and just be in the game and start to show the quality you showed at Chelsea.”
United signed Mount for an initial £55m with £5m addons from Chelsea during the summer. Ten Hag prioritized the Englishman as he perfectly fits the midfielder’s profile required by the Dutchman.
Ten Hag deployed Mount in a deeper midfield role contrary to his usual past role as an attacker at Chelsea. However, the 24-year-old has struggled to make an impact in the new role and even at advanced roles at United.
Mount has fallen down the pecking order, playing as a substitute in the few games before the November international break. The United boss deployed a rigid 4-2-4 formation and preferred Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay in the double-pivot midfield role. United captain Bruno Fernandes occupies the advanced midfield role and he is the primary playmaker for the team.
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An injury to Eriksen could have opened up an opportunity for Mount, but unfortunately, the Englishman finds himself sidelined due to his own injury. A club of United’s stature cannot wait for the 24-year-old to redeem his career given that he arrived as a priority signing. Mount needs to prove his worth before United decide to look at other avenues in the future transfer windows.
