Mason Mount was brought to Man United to transform their midfield... injuries have spoiled his £60m...
Mail Sport questioned Erik ten Hag about his confidence in Mason Mount as a significant player for the season before the FA Cup triumph against Liverpool.
He stated confidently that the person in question would play an important role in the team. According to him, this player has yet to demonstrate this, but it is his belief that he will show himself to be an excellent addition to Manchester United.
During a recent speech, Ten Hag referred to the footballer as "class" and spoke highly of him, labeling him a "fantastic football player". The midfielder is set to return to Chelsea on Thursday.
As he returned to the club where he began his football career this week, he received an abundance of support and favorable testimony.
The upcoming situation may cause stress due to the possibility of receiving negative feedback. However, the individual is mainly viewing it as an opportunity to improve a disappointing season.
. Mason Mount's start at Man United has been inconsistent due to various interruptions, after his transfer from Chelsea.
Erik ten Hag firmly believes that Mount, who he describes as 'amazing', will make a significant contribution.
During the Easter match at Brentford, he scored his first goal for United in the 96th minute. It seemed like this was the moment he finally made his mark in the team. His goal helped United win three points in west London in a sneaky maneuver. However, their victory was short-lived as United soon conceded a goal, leaving Mount's historic moment as just an afterthought during the post-match analysis.
United insiders have suggested that they believe in Mount's sustained talent, even if his recent performances may not be up to par.
Ten Hag became fond of Mount when he caught sight of him during his time on loan at Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands.
During the 2017-18 season, Ten Hag and his team kept an eye on a certain player who caught the attention of the Dutch coach. They continued to monitor him even after the season ended, as Ten Hag was eager to collaborate with the said player.
Let's skip ahead to May 2023 when Ten Hag and John Murtough were sitting at a table with Mount, convincing him of their vision for his position in United's future plans. They made it clear that he would play a vital and prominent role.
Mount's prospects have been hindered by injuries and a lack of clarity regarding his ideal position on the field.
At the start of the campaign, he was positioned in a more defensive position alongside Casemiro.
It has been rumored that within United there was a sense of urgency to acquire Mount since he only had one year remaining on his contract with Chelsea.
If he had decided to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge or chosen to play for another team like Liverpool or Arsenal, it's possible that the opportunity for him to join United would have passed as he is currently 25 years old.
ESPN said that negotiations with Arsenal had progressed significantly, to the point where Mikel Arteta informed his coaches in private that a transfer had already been completed.
Finally, United managed to secure his commitment and he signed a contract worth £250,000 per week for five years, plus a possible extra year.
When he arrived at Old Trafford, he was given the well-known No. 7 jersey of the Reds, which was meant to be the beginning of a promising partnership.
Certain people have expressed disapproval in certain areas.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, a colleague of the player has cast uncertainty on the reason for his transfer, hinting that it was not solely based on football-related matters. Such an allegation appears unjust, however, there have also been negative comments online regarding his inability to participate.
He has suffered from injuries and some Chelsea fans have criticized him for leaving. Mount has not done any press events with outside media for Man United yet. It is suspected that he is avoiding talking about his departure from Chelsea.
Players on the right side often observe the game from the director's box, but Mount didn't do so during the game against Chelsea.
During an earlier season game, Chelsea refrained from sitting in the director's box alongside other sidelined stars, opting instead to keep a distance.
There won't be any safe spot on Thursday night- whether you're starting or sitting on the sidelines and stretching close to a vocal home audience.
Mount not only wants to recover quickly but also wants to earn the support of United's fans and show respect to Chelsea supporters who are disappointed that he left their team.
People who seek autographs outside Old Trafford have shared on the internet about how respectful Mount is to them. He voluntarily stops for them and doesn't show any indications of hurry when they wish to have a conversation.
Despite the negative attention he received from some fans online after leaving Chelsea, he aimed to remain honest and genuine with his departure, displaying traits of maturity and professionalism.
Mount stated on Instagram through a video message, "I realize that a few of you may not be content with my choice, however, it is what I believe is suitable for my career currently."
He said: 'I think you should receive more than a written statement. That's why I wanted to express my gratitude to you personally for the support you've given me during the past 18 years.'
Former Chelsea star John Terry has spoken out in support of Mount in public.
The former captain of Blues said in September that there is another perspective to the narrative. He suggested not being overly critical of him upon his return.
Therefore, Mount has now come back, though Ten Hag seems to still be unsure of how to fully utilize his expensive midfielder who cost £60 million.
He was recruited mainly because Ten Hag desired a midfielder who was more forward-thinking and could push the ball forward more efficiently. Additionally, his work without the ball has impressed all of the managers he has worked with.
Mount has been tested in different positions on the field, such as playing in a two-man midfield pivot, as a number ten, as a right-wing player, and as one of two number eights. However, Mount has only managed to score one goal and assist one goal so far.
During November, Paul Scholes, a former United midfielder, shared on the Webby & O'Neill podcast that he believes the ideal position for him to play in is where Bruno Fernandes plays, and that's basically anywhere on the field.
I believe the manager brought him on board to serve as an attacking midfielder. However, this decision has negatively affected the team's equilibrium. It has compromised the athleticism of our midfielders.
In my opinion, Erik ten Hag had a desire to have Fernandes and another player in the team. However, it seems like this combination is not effective anymore and leaves the midfield vulnerable. If Mason Mount is to be included in the team, it's essential to have at least two defensive midfielders with him to maintain the team's equilibrium.
Ten Hag developed a liking for Mount when he first spotted him playing for Vitesse Arnhem on loan.
Ten Hag is interested in taking it easy with Mount and not exerting too much pressure on him after being away for quite some time.
He achieved his first goal for Man United when playing against Brentford. Now, he aims to improve upon that accomplishment during the upcoming match against Chelsea.
Since Mount was unable to participate due to a muscle issue that kept him out for four months, the decision was not up for discussion for Ten Hag as the player was not an option to choose from.
As we approach a crucial period of the season, with the FA Cup semi-finals and final, as well as a late push for a spot in the Champions League, we now have a better understanding of how to make the most of Mount's abilities.
According to insiders at ESPN, Mount took the initiative to attend team meetings that weren't mandatory in order to gain a better understanding of Ten Hag's strategic requirements. The goal was for him to easily adjust once he was able to participate in games. This was the plan.
This written document states that he frequently stayed behind after everyone else, indicating his dedication to adjusting and becoming better. As a result, it's not unexpected that he's held in such high esteem by the coaching personnel at Carrington.
People who have talked to Mount have mentioned his optimistic attitude and how he has managed to stay positive even though his rehabilitation process was challenging and isolating. Both Mount and his supporters would like to witness his diligent efforts translate into achievements on the field.
Regardless of whether he approves or not, the spotlight will shine on him once again when he returns to where it all started on Thursday. He cannot dictate how he will be welcomed, but he has authority over how he performs if he gets the opportunity. Now is the perfect moment to demonstrate to Chelsea exactly what they have missed out on.