Is Mason Mount set to become a Manchester United fan favourite? | OneFootball

The 2024/25 season is going to be a critical one for Mason Mount’s Manchester United career.

Mount joined the Red Devils from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £60m last summer and it was hoped he would be able to ease the creative burden placed upon Bruno Fernandes. However, it never quite got going in his debut year at Old Trafford, with injury and a loss of form restricting him to just 20 appearances across all competitions, notching one goal and one assist. As a result, Mount lost his place in the England team, missing out on their run to the Euro 2024 final this summer.

That said, if the early signs from this season are anything to go by, Mount is still seen very much as an important part of Erik ten Hag’s plans.

Mount has started both of Man Utd’s games so far, playing 58 minutes in the Community Shield against Manchester City before logging just over an hour in the Red Devils’ Premier League opener against Fulham.

Against City, Mount looked a little rusty and off the pace, completing just nine passes and failing to attempt a shot or create a chance. But against Fulham, there was a big improvement.

Mount left the field against the Cottagers with two chances created and one shot on target and arguably should have found the net with his 53rd-minute effort from close range. However, it was a sure sign of a much more lively looking midfielder.

But it was Mount’s work without the ball that really caught the eye. The 25-year-old has always been best known for his pressing ability and this was on full display against Fulham, with Mount making 23 counter-pressures — more than any other player across the entire Premier League on the opening weekend, despite spending just 61 minutes on the pitch.

Mount made three tackles and one recovery at Old Trafford, while winning five of 11 contested duels and committing one foul.

But it’s the clip of Mount tearing around the field to lead a Man Utd press and, ultimately, force Fulham to go long and concede possession that has fans talking.

In response, fans have referred to Mount as a ‘pressing monster’ while some have claimed he should be ‘starting every match’. It appears that Ten Hag agrees.

“We know he’s a high-class player and just bringing his skills in. Last season, he had a very bad season, a very tough season for him because of all his injuries, so now we are very pleased he had a very good pre-season,” the Dutchman said earlier this month. “I’m sure he will now, from this point on, be contributing to the team if he stays fit. That counts for every player.”

Despite his various fitness issues, Mount was first among Man Utd players with 10+ minutes in the Premier League last season for tackles per 90 minutes (3.86), while figuring in the top three for possessions won in the middle third (3.68) and attacking third (1.05) among players with 150+ minutes.

Of course Mount needs to start adding goals and assists back to his game. After all, this is a player who returned 21 direct goal involvements (11g/10a) in the Premier League for Chelsea in 2021/22 and always posted respectable numbers during his time at Stamford Bridge.

But it’s often felt like Mount has struggled for a foothold at Old Trafford. Becoming the fulcrum to Ten Hag’s press and putting in the hard yards will quickly buy favour and patience from supporters, giving him the time he needs to build up the confidence and sharpness required to become a regular contributor in the final third for Man Utd.