Kobbie Mainoo and ‘remarkable’ Mason Mount best in the Premier League in key areas, Erik ten Hag will be thrilled

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Erik ten Hag will be pleased with the work of his midfield in the win over Fulham, the numbers speak for themselves.

Manchester United continued with Erik ten Hag’s experimental formation against Fulham which won the FA Cup Final back in May.

It proved successful, with the 1-0 scoreline flattering Fulham, Manchester United should have won by three or four.

The formation was partly due to Rasmus Hojlund’s injury absence – but it also found a way to get Mason Mount into the starting XI.

• READ MORE: Who is Mason Mount? Age, Height, Number, Salary, Net Worth

Mason Mount presses from the front

Mason Mount came close to breaking the deadlock early in the second half. His close range shot was blocked by Bernd Leno.

But most of his best work came off the ball, where his intensity put Fulham under pressure, leading from the front.

According to Sky Sports, Mason Mount made the most ‘counter pressures’ of any player in the Premier League all weekend.

A ‘counter pressure’ is defined as putting a player under pressure in less than two seconds of them receiving the ball.

Mount made 25 in total, with Fulham’s Alex Iwobi the next best player all weekend with 20. Teammate Kobbie Mainoo was also high on the list with 16.

Sky described Mount’s contribution as ‘remarkable’ considering he played only 60 minutes before being substituted.

And after he came off, Fulham created some of their best chances on the counter-attack, highlighting how important he was to Manchester United’s efforts.

• READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25

Kobbie Mainoo the duel-master

Another key starter in Manchester United’s win was teenage wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo, who is making the extraordinary seem routine.

Mainoo won 13 duels during United’s victory, more than any player in any match over the Premier League’s opening weekend.

This speaks volumes to his growth as a player, his physicality, and his confidence to even throw himself into the game and take players on, where he made four successful dribbles, the most of any at Old Trafford on Friday night.

Erik ten Hag will be thrilled with the contribution of both players. Mount is recovering from an injury-hit 2023/24 season, where some of the criticism he received was also overblown.

Mainoo meanwhile missed pre-season due to his Euro 2024 heroics, so his stunning contribution from the start should not be taken for granted. Just as he showed last season, he is a class act.