Manchester United may have finally learned how they can unlock the talents of ‘world class’ Mason Mount after Erik ten Hag tried a new tactic against Crystal Palace. The England midfielder made his comeback from a thigh injury and performed well against the Eagles before heading off at half-time.
Erik ten Hag insisted that the substitution was pre-planned, allowing Mount to make a staggered return to competitive football after over a month absent. It was the former Chelsea star’s crossfield pass that created Alejandro Garnacho’s opening goal in the 3-0 win, before his corner assisted Casemiro just before half-time.
And Mount’s role at Old Trafford could suggest how Ten Hag plans to get the best out of the 24-year-old. He played in a slightly higher midfield position with Sofyan Amrabat used as an inverted left-back to cover the space vacated by Mount’s presence further up the pitch.
It is something that could be repeated when United face Palace again on Saturday, this time in the Premier League. With Sergio Reguilon providing the only recognised option at left-back, Amrabat could play there again to allow Mount to thrive.
“He played very well. I’m sure when he’s totally integrated he will play much better. He’s just starting at United,” Ten Hag said about Mount.
It comes after Mount faced criticism of his first few performances in a United shirt. The Red Devils paid £65million to lure the England star from Chelsea in one of the major Premier League transfers of the summer window.
Mount seemed to struggle in a deeper midfield role alongside Casemiro in Ten Hag’s 4-2-3-1 formation. At Chelsea and for England, the playmaker has shone in a more advanced position.
Getting the best out of Mount will help Ten Hag fulfil a promise made by sporting director John Murtough, who told fans that the club was signing a ‘world-class’ player from their Premier League rivals. “His style of play and attributes are a perfect fit for this squad, and we all believe that he will only improve further by working with Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff,” Murtough wrote.
