Sir Alex Ferguson’s former right-hand man Rene Meulensteen has admitted that he is curious to see if Erik ten Hag has a solution around one Manchester United star.
Erik ten Hag extended his contract with Manchester United this summer after Ineos completed its end-of-season review and handed the Dutchman a new deal.
The former Ajax boss oversaw an up-and-down season at Old Trafford, with his first-team squad ravaged by injuries during the 2023-24 Premier League campaign.
United limped to eighth place in the Premier League, but the Red Devils ended the season on a high note with a 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
The Red Devils finished their pre-season tour last Sunday after a 3-0 defeat to Premier League rivals Liverpool in the United States.
Ten Hag is now looking ahead to the start of the 2024-25 Premier League season and United’s Community Shield clash against Manchester City on Saturday.
Meulensteen on Ten Hag and Man Utd
Speaking on talkSPORT on Friday, Rene Meulensteen waxed lyrical about the “versatile” Mason Mount and the Manchester United star’s overall playing ability.
Erik ten Hag brought Mason Mount to Old Trafford in 2023 after United signed the former Chelsea star from their Premier League rivals for an initial fee of £55m.
Mount, who inherited the legendary United No 7 shirt, saw his debut season at Old Trafford curtailed by injuries and failed to make an impact for the Red Devils.
The 25-year-old United star managed only five Premier League starts in 14 appearances in the 2023-24 campaign, with Mount scoring only once in the league.
However, Mount has been able to secure regular playing time during the pre-season campaign and appeared to be back to his best under United boss Ten Hag.
Meulensteen, who was a first-team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson, admitted that he is intrigued to see if Ten Hag can find a solution to fit Mount into his United XI.
“With regards to Mason Mount, like you said, good player, versatile, very good in transition from midfield and moving the ball forward, but it is a bit of a case where you fit him in,” he said.
“Bruno Fernandes is obviously playing in that number 10 role and he is drifting around.
“He is not really a winger as well. So, it is going to be an interesting piece of the jigsaw for Erik to fit him in.”
Ten Hag sends message about Mount
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Ten Hag made his stance clear that Mason Mount will play a key role for United in the forthcoming season.
“We know he is a high-class player and [he is] just bringing his skills in,” he said ahead of the Community Shield clash, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“Last season he had a very bad season, a very tough season from him because of his injuries.
“So, we are now very pleased he has had a good pre-season and I am sure now from this point on, he will be contributing to the team.
“But if you stay fit that happens and that counts for every player.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/qejoHUT