How Mason Mount Fits Into Erik Ten Hag’s New Man United
In this post we take a look at how new big money summer signing Mason Mount fits into Erik Ten Hag’s new Man United.
Mason Mount was announced earlier in the week as Manchester United’s first summer signing from Chelsea on a contract running until June 2028, with the option of a further year. It was also announced that Mount will be donning the iconic Man United number 7 jersey. This got us thinking about who the best number 7s and worst number 7s are in the history of the club.
During his time with Chelsea, the 24-year-old midfielder made 279 club appearances, scoring 58 goals and contributing 53 assists, winning the Champions League and Chelsea’s Player of the Year for both the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.
It’s time to write a new chapter.
#️⃣7️⃣ Mount 🔴#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 5, 2023
So, how will Mount fit into the Ten Hag midfield? Let’s take a look.
How Mason Mount Fits Into The Man United Team
Last season Manchester United played in a 4-2-3-1 formation which they used in 3128/3591 minutes per Understat, which is 87% of recorded minutes.
Casemiro, despite being played in a two often with Eriksen, was the more defensive, with Eriksen allowed to be the ball player and progressive passer even if he isn’t very mobile or defensively aware.
Bruno was then played as an AM and was expected to do a lot of the creating, although he was tried deeper at times during the season (more on that later).
Ten Hag’s Play Style
Ten Hag is a possession-based coach, and while Manchester United averaged 55.2% of the ball in all competitions last season, their 54.6% in the Premier League was only the fifth highest in the league and substantially lower than Manchester City’s 62.6%.
As ten Hag continues his progression with the side, you can expect that possession figure to increase significantly statistically. More importantly, they will feel more comfortable being in control.
With that said, it’s important to look at who had the most minutes for the club last season.
- David De Gea – 5250
- Bruno Fernandes – 5164
- Rashford -4300
- Casemiro – 3903
- Eriksen – 3079.
The key to the club being more dominant and comfortable in possession lies in the goalkeeping department, and while De Gea has been a top servant for the club, his 33.8 Touches p/90 only has him in the 30th percentile for keepers, and he never looks comfortable in doing so. De Gea’s severely below average distribution of the ball was never a good fit for ten Hag’s system.
However, in his likely replacement Andre Onana United have a keeper who stops more crosses; he takes more touches 43.81 P/90 (89th percentile) and is an elite passer of the ball. This will allow the midfield to push on further and give more calmness to the defence.
This season I’d expect to see a transition to a more 4-1-2-3 formation with Casemiro as the sole defensive pivot. Who despite his advancing years, there is nobody like him in the squad. So unless there is a deputy signing, Casemiro could play every game that he is available for with McTominay used in Cup Games and in matches where the job is done.
As trialled last season, I think you will see Bruno deployed deeper with Mount as two advanced 8s rather than one man in behind a striker.
Likely Regular Starting Midfield For Man United 2023/24 Season
Casemiro
Bruno Mount
This will likely be the regular midfield trio, with Mount favoured over Eriksen in most matches due to being a more complete midfielder. Mount is a much more of a combative 8 than Eriksen putting in double the tackles, more interceptions (marginal), more blocks and winning more aerials than Eriksen P/90.
Mount’s 5.95 Progressive Passes has him in the 70th percentile, and his 2.41 Progressive Carries puts him in the 85th percentile. Ten Hag’s main coaching point will be looking to improve his overall ball-playing with a more held-back Bruno.
Mount only attempts 45.24 passes P/90, which is in the 39th percentile, and his 76.4% Pass Completion is only in the 17th percentile, which is something that needs to be improved on if they’re to dominate games more. However, this is not the end of Eriksen as a key player for Man United.
Casemiro
Antony, Bruno, Eriksen, Mount
Rashford
Mason Mount’s Versatility
Much of Mount’s strength lies in his versatility. And while CM/AM will likely be his primary position, you could also see him work on the left if they were short up-top. The arrival of the English midfielder would allow Eriksen to come into the team more especially against teams toward the bottom of the table. This would allow him to pick off defences with his 7.81 Progressive Passes P/90 while having the energy of Mount beside him.
Alternatively, Mount could be used as AM in their original 4-2-3-1 formation, where he could rotate Bruno and/or Eriksen. They would have the option of a diamond with two strikers if they brought in Højlund. Mount brings tactical flexibility into this squad for game-to-game changes or even in-game changes.
Casemiro
Bruno Eriksen
Mount
Højlund Rashford
MANCHESTER UNITED 23/24 SQUAD PREDICTION
GOALKEEPERS
Onana
Suzuki
Heaton
RIGHT BACKS
AWB
Dalot
LEFT BACKS
Shaw
Malacia
CENTRE BACKS
Varane
Martinez
Lindelof
HOLDING MIDFIELDERS
Casemiro
McTominay
RIGHT WING
Antony
Sancho
LEFT WING
Rashford
Garnacho
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Bruno Fernandes
Mount
Eriksen
Mainoo
STRIKERS
Højlund
X
McNeil
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