Will Mason Mount Succeed at Man Utd?

(Photo: Getty) - Cover Image - https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/man-utd-mason-mount-impressive-debut-leeds-2474094

Manchester United have had a relatively poor start to the 23/24 season/ Despite winning 2/3 of the opening fixtures none of the performances have been convincing leaving Man Utd fans worried for the season ahead. Ten Hag has made reinforcement in midfield in Mason Mount who has essentially come to replace an ageing Christian Eriksen. Also, a significant change is in the goalkeeper department in Andre Onana, Champions League finalist with Inter last season. Rasmus Hojlund a young Danish striker has also been signed but yet to play a game due to injury - looks set for a debut at Arsenal.

However, a lot has been made on the Mason Mount signing. Some thought it would be a fresh new signing as Mount offers more of a physical and running aspect of the game which Eriksen struggled with last season and cost Utd some big matches (notably the 3-2 loss against Arsenal in January). Thus, it was a no-brainer that Utd needed someone more youthful and strong in midfield to bring balance and concede fewer chances. While Mason Mount is versatile, it should not have been the priority signing for Man Utd this season.

I think a midfield trio of Mason Mount, Casemiro, and Bruno Fernandes could work, but it would depend on how they are used.

Pros:

Casemiro is a defensive midfielder who breaks up play and wins the ball back. This would allow Mount and Fernandes to play more advanced roles and focus on creating chances.
Mount is a versatile midfielder who can play in a number of positions. He is good at dribbling, passing, and shooting, and he would be a valuable asset in both attack and defence.
Fernandes is a creative midfielder who is known for his passing and vision. He is also a good goalscorer and would be a threat to score from long range.

Cons:

The midfield could be too attacking, leaving them vulnerable to counter-attacks. This has already been seen in the first 2 games Mount has played. Man Utd's midfield is being torn to shred by Wolves and Spurs.
Casemiro is not the most mobile midfielder, and he could be caught out of position if he is not supported by his teammates.
Mount and Fernandes are good at dribbling but can also be prone to losing the ball. This could lead to turnovers in dangerous areas. With the two playing high-up, this would leave Casemiro exposed in that defensive midfield role and Man Utd have already seen the consequences in the Wolves and Spurs match this season.

Overall, I think a midfield trio of Mason Mount, Casemiro, and Bruno Fernandes could work, but it would require a lot of balance and discipline from the players. If they are able to play together effectively, they could be a very dangerous midfield unit. For it to work it would see Bruno playing a lot more deeper with Mount further ahead. Bruno is a better controller than Mount and would bring more assurance and composure. But with Bruno being deeper, Utd may lose out on his creativeness and have to rely on Mount who hasn't been in the best of form for a year.

It would be better for Man Utd to invest in a midfielder who is just as robust as Casemiro and will partner alongside him on most occasions. But they must also be adept at carrying the ball forward well in transition or to ease pressure at times. A player that they have been linked with all summer and fits this profile is Sofyan Amrabat of Fiorentina. He came off an excellent World Cup campaign with Morocco where he was one of the star players of the tournament.

I think Sofyan Amrabat could work well in a midfield trio alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. He is a versatile midfielder who can play in a number of positions, and he has a good mix of defensive and offensive skills.

Pros:

Amrabat is a strong tackler and good at winning the ball back. This would allow Casemiro to focus on breaking up play in the middle of the park, while Amrabat could help to protect the defence. He would also provide a long-term replacement for Casemiro who is heading to the tail end of his career.
Amrabat is also good at passing and dribbling, which would allow him to link up with Fernandes in attack. He is also a good long-range shooter, which would give United another option in the final third.
Amrabat is a hard worker and has a good attitude, which would be important in a team like Manchester United.

Cons:

Amrabat is not the most mobile midfielder, so he could be caught out of position if he is not supported by his teammates. He is prone to a silly challenge and does concede a lot of fouls.
He is also not the most creative midfielder, so he would not be able to replace Fernandes as the team's main source of creativity. A heavy reliance on Bruno will be burdensome but it is nothing new for him at Man Utd. Bruno's output during a match is one of the best in the world so it shouldn't bother Utd too much that he is the main source of creativity in that midfield.

Overall, I think Amrabat would be a good addition to Manchester United's midfield. He would bring balance and versatility to the team, and he could help to improve their defensive and attacking output more so than Mason Mount.