One of the biggest frustrations about Manchester United’s season is the way Mason Mount’s first season has gone.
Manchester United signed a new number seven in the summer, and the club are still waiting for him to have an impact.
It’s not really his fault either. Mason Mount has been out of action for the past four months with injury, and this is his second spell out injured this season.
Long-term, the Mount move may work out. Right now, for this season, the £55 million spent to acquire him would have been more useful elsewhere, quite clearly.
Mason Mount’s season so far
Mason Mount has made 12 appearances for Manchester United to date. Seven of these have been starts.
He is yet to score and has one assist, which came back in late September in the Carabao Cup. His last appearance was in early November at home to Luton.
Mount has completed 90 minutes only once, in the Carabao Cup, and started only one Champions League group game.
It has been less than ideal for a player who had a tough second half of the season at Chelsea and was looking to rebuild his confidence.
There is no fixed return date for Mount, although United will hope to get him back to action in the coming weeks. The problem is, there is no guarantee he will be useful when he does come back.
Mason Mount could help, or make it worse
Manchester United’s big problem at present has been a struggle to control games in midfield. This was particularly evident in the scrappy win over Luton, and the weekend loss to Fulham.
The team has been unable to dominate opponents and have been particularly susceptible to getting caught on counter attacks.
Mount’s potential return could help United in one way; that he may be able to provide an alternative to Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes is out of form right now, without a Premier League goal since United’s away win at Fulham in early November, a game Mount played as a late substitute.
Mount’s lack of goals don’t offer a guarantee he could do any better, but he could provide Fernandes with a rest, and a different approach, with the captain trying to do too much right now. Mount could simplify United’s set up.
But there is a real risk Mount’s return could end up making United worse, if he is selected in midfield alongside Fernandes.
This was a role Ten Hag signed him to play in, but the early season displays were not good. United were cut apart by Wolves in the season opener, with Matheus Cunha running through the open gaps in midfield at an isolated Casemiro, with Fernandes and Mount pushed high up the pitch.
Even with Mount injured, these gaps, less pronounced, continue in United’s play, unable to shut opponents down, whoever they are. Mount could open them back up again further.
Mount’s return could serve to underline the weaknesses in Ten Hag’s approach. It is for that reason, United fans are not desperately longing for his return. Aside from replacing Fernandes, there is no obvious way he fits in.
It is a dilemma for the manager, but one he doesn’t have a chance of solving until the player is fit again. A positive update should be due.
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