Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag thinks Mason Mount has all the ingredients to succeed in a deeper midfield role this season, but says he needs more time to adapt.
After impressing in spells during their pre-season campaign, Mount was handed his much-anticipated Premier League debut for United on Monday night.
The 24-year-old England international, who joined the ranks at Old Trafford from Chelsea last month for a reported £55 million, featured in a midfield trio alongside Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.
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But the former Chelsea man struggled to make much of an impact at Old Trafford, and was substituted in the 68th minute as the Reds hobbled to a far-from-convincing 1-0 win against Wolves.
A few days later and, ahead of Manchester United's clash against Spurs on Saturday, an encouraged Erik ten Hag says Mount will eventually settle in his new position.
"I think he can [play deeper]," Ten Hag said. "Already, we have seen it in pre-season, but it's what I've said, definitely we have to work on many facets of our game but also that facet about midfield and the cooperation, how we have to set it.
"I'm sure we will get it [right], but it's not coming overnight and [if] it was easier then everyone could do it."
Ten Hag likened the situation to Christian Eriksen's arrival. Eriksen, who often played further forward before his move to Old Trafford last summer, switched up his game to become more of a threat from deep.
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The Dutch manager believes Mount has all the qualities to flourish in that same role.
"Christian Eriksen, last season, came in and had the same," he added. "First time in his life he played in a deeper role and that was the ambition from Christian and then also the ambition from Mason.
"And so he wants to be more multifunctional. That's the way I see football, but as I say, it will not come overnight. There's a process we have to go through, but he’s very game-intelligent.
"He has the technical abilities, has also good vision on the ball. He knows how to deal with the ball. He has the dynamics, don't forget that. He has the mentality. So, all the ingredients are there to do it."
Here's how social media reacted to Ten Hag's comments.
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One fan said: "If you wanted a deeper midfielder and had £60 million lying around, why didn’t you just sign a deeper midfielder instead?"
A second wrote: "Mount deeper 8 confirmed. Can’t see how it works, but hope I’m proved wrong. The way Mount & Bruno emptied the midfield against Wolves was scary."
A third commented: "What I don't understand is why we paid £55M for a player who isn't a specialist at what we're asking him to do? I just cannot make sense of it. Having said that, I hope Mount fits in and starts performing at a top level."
A fourth added: "So why didn’t you just go for a midfielder that’s established in that role."
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Thoughts on Ten Hag's plans to give Mason Mount a more deeper midfield role this season? Will it work?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Mason Mount, Premier League, Fan Reactions