Manchester United’s midfield finally has depth, and Michael Carrick is clear about the role of Youri Tielemans and Mason Mount in it.
Having signed Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos, and Youri Tielemans this summer, the midfield looks much better than it did this time last summer.
The five players provide a multitude of tactical and technical options, and the role of each player needs to be well-defined.
Michael Carrick is particularly convinced about the role of Tielemans and Mount, since they provide the team with what the other three can’t.
Michael Carrick on Youri Tielemans and Mason Mount’s role
United have done quite a youthful rebuild this summer, with two of their three midfield signings on the younger side.
Baleba and Santos are 22, and they add to Kobbie Mainoo, who is 21, so there is plenty of youthful exuberance in the side.
However, for an elite team, adding some sprinkling of experience is equally necessary, which is where Tielemans and Mount come in.
Carrick recently said that Tielemans and Mount are crucial for this team because they add that experience which none of the other three does.
He said: “22, 22 and 21 [Baleba, Santos and Mainoo] is a really good age, with the level we’ve got at the moment and the experience of Youri and Mase to balance it off. They offer different things, and obviously it’s about picking the right balance and combinations at certain times.”
This also confirms that Carrick sees defensive midfield as Mount’s long-term role at Old Trafford, provided he stays fit.
The Man Utd manager raved about Tielemans’ leadership quality in the same press conference, so his signing was clearly a concerted effort to add more nous and know-how to a team that was increasingly youthful in a key area.
Tielemans and Mount are not starters
This also hints at Carrick’s thinking regarding his first-choice midfield pairing, because he sees Mount and Tielemans as steady influences in the dressing room.
Tielemans didn’t cover himself in glory on his debut against Hull, while Mount can’t seem to stay fit for more than two games in a row.
What they won’t provide on the pitch often will be made up for by what they provide every day in training and in the dressing room.
United have a perfect combination of ages in the dressing room now, and for that to happen, Tielemans and Mount’s presence is crucial.
By the time this experienced duo age out of their primes, the three young prodigies behind them will age into their primes.
That is what perfect squad planning looks like.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/eSxuyhB