Erik ten Hag will have another versatile midfielder at his disposal next season.
Manchester United are on the verge of completing a move for Mason Mount, agreeing to meet Chelsea’s £60m demand for the England international.
Mount’s versatility offers several possibilities for Erik ten Hag to utilize him effectively at Old Trafford. The Dutchman was reportedly seeking an energetic midfielder capable of excelling in both defensive and attacking aspects of the game and Mount perfectly fits that profile.
Here, we explore three potential ways in which Manchester United could line up with Mason Mount in the upcoming season.
The obvious choice
A straightforward option would be to have Mount replace Christian Eriksen in the center of the park, alongside the more defensive-minded Casemiro, while Bruno Fernandes continues as the No. 10.
Eriksen made 44 appearances for the Red Devils after joining from Brentford last season, developing into a cornerstone of United’s midfield. However, being in his 30s, Eriksen’s age raises concerns about his long-term impact.
Mount, on the other hand, provides a younger alternative with ample top-level experience. Eriksen’s injury earlier this year also affected his performance upon his return, making Mount a potential direct replacement.
Another creative midfielder
Mount’s primary role at Chelsea has been as a No. 10, and Ten Hag could opt to deploy him similarly at Manchester United.
In this scenario, Fernandes may either drop deeper or even shift to a wider position, considering he has previously played there for the club. Fernandes has also shown his adaptability in a deeper central midfield role for Portugal.
Under new head coach Roberto Martinez, Fernandes often partnered with Joao Palhinha in a midfield two. Thus, he could resume a similar role for United alongside Casemiro, allowing Mount to occupy the No. 10 position.
The Mount-Fernandes duo
Ten Hag has typically favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation since taking charge of Manchester United. However, to accommodate the creative talents of both Mount and Fernandes, a modification to the formation might be necessary.
Deploying them as No. 8s with Casemiro behind them could provide the necessary balance.
Mount’s previous season was marred by injury, but he showcased his prowess in the campaign prior, contributing to 29 goals in all competitions. Playing alongside Fernandes could provide Mount with more chances to penetrate deep into the opposition’s half in search of goalscoring chances.
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