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Louis Saha is not best-pleased with the output from Mason Mount during the first few months of his Man United career.
Manchester United’s summer of 2023 was meant to be the game-changing one. The window in which Erik ten Hag was backed fully, with big money spent, in order to keep pushing the Red Devils in the right direction.
While the gaffer did spend a fairly big chunk of money, the lack of player sales made it difficult for the Dutchman to be presented with his number one transfer options in every position.
One player who definitely was a Ten Hag top target was Mason Mount. The Englishman was the first signing made over the summer, with the United boss prioritising adding the ex-Chelsea man to his squad before moving for anyone else.
At the time, the excitement was there among supporters. Mount, mobile, energetic and good in possession, was supposed to give United more control during games. Sadly, that just hasn’t happened so far…
Mount started well, before succumbing to injury. Upon his return from the treatment table, we’ve barely seen him. When we have, he hasn’t really contributed to the cause…
Now, one ex-United player in the form of Louis Saha has had his say on the situation. It’s fair to suggest he has not been impressed with the impact of the £55m man so far. Obviously, that can all change, with Mount regarded as someone who ‘should be a big player’ for the Reds. Instead, there’s a misunderstanding about where he fits into the team. It’s not an ideal situation…
Check out what Louis Saha had to say in full here:
“I get asked a lot to comment on players, especially the likes of Marcus Rashford and Antony, but is there some sort of protection over Mason Mount? Mason should have an important role in this team, but nobody can understand his impact,” Saha told BetFred.
“In his first six months at Manchester United, Antony was already under fire, so can somebody tell me why the press are okay with Mason Mount not playing well? It seems fine that he’s not playing well. Antony hasn’t won the Champions League, so why is there not the same level of criticism for Mason Mount than there is for Antony? I just don’t understand it.
“I think there may be a misunderstanding about where Mount fits into the team positionally. When he plays in the centre of midfield, he seems like he’s too far advanced up the pitch when he should be protecting pockets of space that leave his team exposed.
“I personally don’t understand his position. He should be coming in late, like Paul Scholes used to do, and I’m not seeing that in his game.
“Mason Mount should be a big player for Manchester United like Marcus Rashford or Antony, so I don’t understand why those two get the intense criticism but Mason doesn’t when he’s not performing at all. He’s not scoring goals, he’s not assisting and nobody’s speaking about it. I just don’t understand it.”
It has been disappointing. That’s not to say Mount is a bad player. I’m a huge fan of his, I just don’t think he’s being helped by the system and the other players around him at this point in time.
I’m trying to not make excuses for Mount as he cost so much money and you’d expect some better flexibility, but he has also been injured which has made the situation even harder. The fact that Christian Eriksen is now sidelined could play into the Englishman’s hands.
I guess it just comes down to waiting for your opportunity, then taking it when it comes your way. The beauty of sport is that there’s always another chance just around the corner. Mount may have been given his in Eriksen’s absence. It’s now down to the player to prove the likes of Saha wrong.
Do you think Mason Mount is good enough for Man United? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
