Mason Mount’s start to his Manchester United adventure has had as much colour as a typical Manchester November morning. For anyone who is not familiar with the city’s weather, that is not a lot.

The English midfielder has struggled to make any impact whatsoever and this has led to many fans questoning why on earth Erik ten Hag decided to splurge an initial £55m on the player, especially in the context that the club had a somewhat limited budget to spend in the summer due to the ongoing takeover drama.

The English midfielder had become disillusioned with life at Chelsea and wanted a new challenge. The Red Devils were not the only club who desired the England international’s signature. Liverpool and Arsenal were also seen as tough competition for the ex-Chelsea academy graduate. Luckily for Ten Hag, Mount opted for Old Trafford.

That is where the luck has ended so far. Mount arrived to the club on the back of a poor campaign at Chelsea but who didn’t struggle at The Blues last season? The West London based club finished an horrific 12th in the table with a paltry goal difference of -9. Not really a conducive environment for Mount to show off his talent.

We football fans also tend to suffer from short memories. The Englishman was instrumental in Chelsea’s Champions League win in 2021 and even finished 19th on the 2021 Ballon d’Or list, ahead of Bruno Fernandes.

Therefore, one could argue, the transfer made sense. But it hasn’t. The Dutch coach who brought him to the club seems completely clueless about where he wants to play him. The Englishman has already played as a number 8, number 10 and off the right.

Despite a positive start to pre-season for Mount, once the games got serious, he has looked short of confidence. The midfielder had positive scoring and assisting numbers for Chelsea, finding the back of the net 33 times for the London club. So, many United fans felt finally Bruno Fernandes had some help in that department but the two have looked incredibly incompatible when they have played together.

This is a problem for the man from Portsmouth, because Bruno always plays. The former Sporting Lisbon midfielder played more football than anyone in Europe’s top five leagues last season. Therefore, if the England international is to find success at the Red Devils he will need to find a way to play productively in the same team as the Portuguese club captain.

Pundits have also called out Mount for his passiveness and inability to get involved in the play. Former United striker, Louis Saha, lambasted Mount’s “shocking” side-stepping of responsibility on the pitch.

This can be seen in Mount’s statistics. In 10 games he has the record of 0 goals and 1 assist in the Carabao Cup. A “needs to do better” report card would be an understatement.

Although the former Chelsea player, like any new signing, requires time. The Champions League winner has been unlucky on two accounts. The first is, in only his second game, he suffered an injury that kept him out a few weeks at the start of the season. Getting injured is always misfortunate for players but especially in the context of being a new arrival looking to make their mark on a new team.

The second, is Mount probably thought he was leaving a toxic situation at Chelsea and finding a stable environment at a club on the up at Manchester United. The 2022/23 season would have suggested as much. Unfortunately for anyone connected with the club, this has not been the case.

Overall, the midfielder has had a terrible start, some of it on him, some of it on circumstances. It doesn’t look great but it would be premature to give up on a player after 10 games. Let’s make a judgement at the end of the season and hopefully there will be a few more things to get excited about in the spring weather.

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Manchester United’s recent signing, Mason Mount, has come under scrutiny from former player Louis Saha for his reticence on the pitch amidst the team’s disappointing performance.

Mount, acquired for a hefty £60 million, has been singled out for not meeting expectations and showing a reluctance to engage fully during matches.

The Old Trafford club’s form has been notably poor, with back-to-back home losses by three goals, raising concerns over the team’s cohesion and spirit.

Mount, renowned for his time at Chelsea as a promising English talent, has seen his confidence wane after a season plagued by injuries.

His current disposition contrasts sharply with his former reputation as a dynamic playmaker.

In a candid conversation with BettingOdds.com (via The Daily Mail), Saha expressed his dismay at Mount’s apparent avoidance of responsibility on the field, stating it was “shocking” to witness such behaviour from a player of Mount’s calibre.

“He is too good of a player to play like this,” Saha remarked, emphasizing the need for Mount to rediscover his self-belief and influence in games.

Since joining Manchester United, Mount has struggled to leave a mark, with only one assist in nine games and no goals to his name.

There’s a growing sentiment that his inclusion has unsettled the equilibrium of Erik ten Hag’s squad, which saw more success last season.

The tactical adjustment has seen key player Bruno Fernandes shifted to accommodate Mount, a move that has yet to pay dividends.

The criticism peaked during the Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle, where Mount, alongside four teammates, was called out by pundit Gary Neville for lapses in concentration, highlighted by a quick free-kick taken by the opposition.

As United strive to regain form, the spotlight on Mount’s performance intensifies, with hopes that he will soon justify his transfer fee and contribute significantly to the team’s success.

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Manchester United’s defence of the Carabao Cup came to a shuddering holt last night (Wednesday), after being comprehensively beaten by Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

Eddie Howe’s men dismantled United by three goals to nil in what was a repeat fixture of last year’s final, in the same competition.

Erik ten Hag’s men were triumphant in the Wembley rain back in March but Newcastle exacted revenge on United in similar conditions in Manchester, with the two teams appearing to have gone in different directions since the showpiece occasion.

United were shocking on the night with every player underperforming in a display fans have seen far too often this season.

As reported by The Daily Mail, almost all of the United stars trudged off the Old Trafford pitch feeling sorry for themselves, with just one bothering to clap the four corners of the ground.

Summer signing Mason Mount was the only player left on the field, applauding the supporters who had stayed until the bitter end, despite the game being over midway through the second half.

Things haven’t quite gone to plan for the 24-year-old since his £55 million move from Chelsea in the summer, with Mount struggling to find his feet in Manchester.

He didn’t do much to endear himself to the home fans with his display on the pitch last night but staying to pay respects to the crowd will be appreciated by the faithful.

Mount hasn’t been alone in his struggles and his performances have been synonymous with that of his teammates this season.

United have suffered an awful start to the campaign and Ten Hag is now under serious pressure to save his job.

Ten Hag made Mount his first signing of the summer window but is finding it hard to get the best of the midfielder.

Mount is yet to find his role in Ten Hag’s system and has been deployed in multiple positions this season, excelling in none, so far.

United and Mount will be desperate for an upturn in form and fortunes with their season hanging by a thread, even at this early stage.

A trip to Fulham in the Premier League is next up for Ten Hag’s side, with the must-win clash against Copenhagen in the Champions League on the horizon next Wednesday.

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Samuel Luckhurst (Manchester Evening News) has revealed Maddison was considered by United given his cut-price availability, courtesy of Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League, but ultimately disregarded given his profile as a creative number ten.

Fernandes, at his best, operates in the exact same area of the pitch as Maddison, in the exact same style of player. Both are output machines, who thrive receiving the ball in the space between the opposition’s midfield and defence, with willing runners ahead of them.

Luckhurst contends it’s this overlap in skillset which led United to look elsewhere this summer. This has proven a significant benefit to Tottenham Hotspur, and potentially a damaging one to Erik ten Hag.

Maddison has been electric at the white of the Lilywhites since he relocated to London for what has proven a bargain £40 million. Three goals and five assists and the creative heart beat of his newly adopted home gives the number ten a strong case for being both the signing of the summer, and the player of the season thus far.

Maddison took on the considerable weight of the number ten shirt at Tottenham from the recently departed Harry Kane in the summer. To say he has thrived under the pressure would be an understatement.

Tottenham sit currently first in the Premier League table, playing an exciting brand of attacking football under new manager Ange Postecoglou, with Maddison as the spearhead of the Australian’s revolution. Spurs are yet to lose a game this season.

A player who has not thrived under the pressure of a weighty shirt, by comparison, is Mason Mount.

The Cobham graduate swapped Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford at a similar point to Maddison’s transfer, picking up the esteemed number seven shirt at United in the process. The similarities with Maddison end there.

Mount has endured an anonymous start to life in Manchester. A combination of injuries, low morale and an ineffectual tactical set-up by his new manager has meant Mount has been unable to impose himself on games. One assist and zero goals in eight games tells its own story.

The most confusing part of the transfer, which set United back a potential £60 million for a player with one year left on his deal, is that Mount has still played in the number ten position, alongside Fernandes.

Old Trafford officials were thought to have refuted the notion of a move for Maddison based on his overlap with the United captain, yet the alternative they pursued falls foul of many of the same similarities. The state of United’s midfield on the opening day against Wolves, and in many subsquent iterations since, demonstrates the poorly thought-out nature of this plan.

Mount is a player who operates best as the most advanced midfielder, almost more of a forward. The same holds true for both Fernandes and Maddison.

Yet the Spurs man was available at nearly 2/3 of the price of Mount, on significantly cheaper wages. Maddison has consistently produced assists and goals at a similar rate to his England team-mate, while playing for a much worse team.

Now he has joined a ‘big six’ side, his rate of productivity appears to have gone to another level, while Mount continues to display the same performances which led many to question his best attributes while at Chelsea (or England).

If the difference between Tottenham and United this season had to be boiled down to one decision, it would be the midfield recruit in the summer.

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A double from Erling Haaland and a goal from Phil Foden were enough to hand Erik ten Hag his fifth defeat in 10 Premier League games this season.

Late into the game, Fernandes started recklessly charging about and diving into challenges, seemingly frustrated by the result and his own performance.

Fernandes tried to put in a heavy tackle on John Stones, who easily bypassed the Portuguese midfielder before proceeding forward.

After the incident, Neville said, “He’s trying to do someone there, Fernandes. He’s trying to do John Stones but he’s seen him coming and he’s ended up hurting himself. He’s conning no one with what he’s been trying to do over the past few minutes.”

Neville also took issue with Fernandes’ complaints to referee Paul Tierney, who dished out a yellow card to Antony for a lunging challenge on Jeremy Doku. Neville added on this, “There’s the couple of whinges that I promised you.”

The former defender also ripped into Antony for clashing with Doku, just minutes after being brought on as a substitute by Ten Hag in a desperate effort to make a difference.

He remarked on Antony, “Doku is absolutely right, Antony just has a kick at him. United have lost their discipline, it starts with the captain. It’s absolutely ridiculous, I would just send him off. It’s embarrassing.”

Neville spoke on Sky Sports and questioned United’s “strange” transfer strategy and specifically their recruitment of midfielders.

Ten Hag started a midfield trio of Sofyan Amrabat, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay in the number 10 position.

Amrabat’s substitution at the interval saw Mason Mount come in. McTominay was pushed back to the pivot, with Eriksen as the deepest-lying midfielder.

Mount barely had a kick and his introduction was ultimately a futile endeavour. City still managed to easily power through United in the middle of the park.

This prompted Neville to explain, “You just sort of wonder how they have been recruited. Eriksen, Fernandes and Mount are all No.10s. There is three of them.”

“Casemiro and Amrabat are the ones who sit a little bit deeper. McTominay, to be fair, was supposed to be leaving, he [Ten Hag] wanted him out, and he is probably now United’s best midfield player in terms of performances in these last few weeks. It is all a little bit strange.”

United face Newcastle next in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford.

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In the league, United currently sit in tenth position after winning four games and losing as many matches.

It’s even worse in the Champions League, where Erik ten Hag’s men sit bottom of Group A with zero points following their defeats at the hands of Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.

Mount, who joined United in the summer for £55million from Chelsea, has made only four appearances for the Red Devils in the Premier League and has featured six times across all competitions.

An injury suffered during United’s game against Tottenham Hotspur saw Mount miss multiple games while recovering. During the international break, Southgate revealed that he left the former Chelsea man out of his Three Lions squad as he lacked match fitness.

Mount’s only goal contribution this term was an assist in the Carabao Cup vs. Crystal Palace.

Nevertheless, the England international insisted that he has started well at United although he is working hard to do more and help the team deliver better results.

He said, “It has been a very good start. I mean, integrating in the team, understanding the way the manager wants to play. I am learning the players around me, how they play. It takes some time to understand that and get into a flow.”

“I want to improve my performances but I think that will come over time. Also, performances as a group, I think we are getting there and we will keep continuing to work at that.”

Mount was asked about whether wearing the iconic number 7 shirt at United comes with any pressure.

Some of the club’s biggest legends sported the number 7 shirt including Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. A number of ex-players have previously crumbled under the weight of the number’s demands. Typical examples are Alexis Sanchez and Memphis Depay.

The 24-year-old mentioned that while he is fully aware of the pressure of bearing the number 7 jersey, he relishes the challenge and uses it as motivation to become the best version of himself.

Mount added, “I want to perform in it and it is a massive, massive club and an iconic number so it really means a lot to me.”

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It is unclear how long this tradition has been in place, but it appears to be one strictly enforced.

It has been revealed, however, only two of the club’s newest recruits have been forced to serenade their teammates so far.

Andre Onana and Mason Mount were handed the mic during the team’s pre-season tour. Assurances were given the ritual will not be limited to just those two however.

The remaining cohort of United’s summer signings – Rasmus Hojlund, Sofyan Amrabat, Sergio Reguilon, Jonny Evans and Altay Bayindir – arrived too late in the summer to participate in the ritual.

There was reportedly no viable opportunity during the team’s recent trip to Bayern Munich, which resulted in a 4-3 loss. This implies the tradition is reserved for “away-day” matches, sparing the ears of staff at Old Trafford.

Sources revealed the uninitiated players time to shine will come.

United’s next journey outside of England happens on the 8th November, against Copenhagen FC, giving the new boys just under three weeks to practice their renditions.

Aptly, Mount and Onana were forced to give their performances during the Las Vegas section of the American tour. The team faced off against Borussia Dortmund at the Allegiant Stadium in Sin City, losing 3-2 in the process.

The defeat brought an end to the US leg of United’s pre-season. Perhaps the performances on the mic were better than the ones on the pitch.

While Mount’s choice of song remains unknown, the Daily Mail reveal Onana chose to sing Alleluia (Hallelujah) by little-known French-speaking group Les Medecins de Medeline.

We’re gonna put a sizeable bet on Steve McClaren not having heard that particular song before.

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The Manchester United midfielder was not called up by Southgate ahead of the Three Lions’ games against Australia and Italy.

Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire were the two United stars who were selected.

Following his £55 million summer move from Chelsea to Old Trafford, Mount saw life at his new club disrupted early on when he picked up an injury during the defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.

He returned when United faced Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup. The 24-year-old registered an assist as he only managed to complete 45 minutes before being taken off.

It’s clear Mount is still recovering and steadily getting back to his groove considering he has yet to play a whole 90 minutes of football since he returned from injury.

The positive thing is the Englishman has been one of United’s brightest sparks during a period of turmoil and poor performances on the pitch.

Southgate spoke to reporters and said about the United star, “Physically he’s getting back up to a level.”

“He’s been an important player for us and we like him a lot.”

“But I didn’t think he’d done enough to be ahead of the others at this moment in time.”

Mount’s last appearance for England came during the national team’s quarter-final clash against France in Qatar.

He came on as a substitute as his side were eliminated from the World Cup by Les Bleus.

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United have endured an awful start to the season.

In the Premier League, the Red Devils have only won four games and lost as many matches in the period just before the ongoing international break.

With respect to the Champions League, United sit bottom of Group A on zero points following losses against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.

Going into the campaign, there were high expectations on Erik ten Hag’s men, especially after the summer additions of Andre Onana, Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund, Sofyan Amrabat, Altay Bayindir and Sergio Reguilon.

However, a combination of multiple injuries to a number of key first-team stars and poor performances have kept United from truly kicking on and registering points on the board.

Saha spoke to King Casino Bonus via The Manchester Evening News and picked on one player who needs to start doing more – Mount.

He said, “United are relying on one or two players to create, and I haven’t seen enough of Mount yet. His creativity is nowhere to be seen. I didn’t see any positive runs from him against Brentford. His timing is off, too, and he can’t make chances by playing like this.”

“I hope that the players find their groove, and once they do, they’ll be hard to play against. They have the energy, and when players like Bruno Fernandes start making those passes, I’ll be more confident in Man Utd.”

Saha opined that Mount can do a lot better than he has so far, especially after the high transfer fee United paid Chelsea for his services.

The Frenchman suggested that United were played by Chelsea and as a result, Ten Hag’s side overpaid for the England international.

Saha added, “I’d say, based on what we’ve seen, Mount isn’t performing and I’ve seen Casemiro play more offensively than Mount. That’s a crazy thing to say, but it’s true.

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The Dutchman is having to deal with injuries to all his key defenders, poor form of the players who thrived under him in the previous season, and numerous off-field controversies.

The right-wing has been a major problem in the past month with both Antony and Jadon Sancho missing due to varying reasons.

While the Brazilian is back training and could be in consideration for the Champions League home tie against Galatasaray, Sancho looks certain to leave.

Ten Hag needs help in January

If the links with Borussia Dortmund actually end up coming true during the winter transfer window, then the Red Devils will require an addition on the wings.

Another problem plaguing the manager has been selecting the best possible midfield combination. New signing Mason Mount struggled in the opening two games.

Christian Eriksen fixed it to an extent but he struggles on the big occasions while Casemiro has been really poor so far, and looks like he cannot shield the defence on his own.

So the manager brought in Scott Mctominay to add more bite at the centre of the park, but despite his impeccable international form, he has struggled to impact games for the club.

Sofyan Amrabat was brought in on loan on deadline day to help with this mess but due to injuries at the back, he has been forced to play as an auxiliary left-back.

The lack of consistency with regards to selection of personnel in the middle of the park has made it difficult for the team to build a rhythm of playing together.

Football Insider has claimed that the 20-time English league champions are open to strengthening on the wings and in the middle of the park in January.

“Man United are eyeing moves for a winger and central midfielder in the January window following a poor start to the new season, sources have told Football Insider.

Recruitment on the wings and in midfield being planned

“Club chiefs are drawing up a shortlist of potential winger targets in the event the England international is not reintegrated at Old Trafford.

“Meanwhile, central midfield is also seen as key on the January agenda despite the summer signings of Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount.”

Pedro Neto is one name who has emerged as a target for the wings but it must be remembered that the Glazers are not in favour of huge investment in January.

Ten Hag had to make do with a couple of loan signings last winter and it is doubtful that the owners would sanction a major purchase.

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