MANCHESTER UNITED have had a common problem on the pitch this season – a wide open midfield.
The defensive injury crisis suffered by Erik ten Hag‘s team has been made a lot worse by central midfielders often failing to provide an effective shield for the defence.
Casemiro, who performed the job well in his first season and helped Man Utd to the most clean sheets in the Premier League, has had a dramatic fall off this campaign.
Despite an important block to deny Alexander Isak for Newcastle in the final home game at Old Trafford, Sofyan Amrabat has failed to impress during his loan spell from Fiorentina.
Kobbie Mainoo and Scott McTominay have both proven their best positions to be further forward, with neither capable of performing the screening role to the standard required.
However, shock stats have revealed that Mason Mount could have been Ten Hag’s surprise answer to the problem.
While Mount, 25, is not considered to be a defensive midfielder, the defensive numbers he has put up in his limited game time this season appear to show how he may have been able to fill in the role.
In per 90 minutes terms, Mount has a club midfielder best 3.9 tackles and 1.1 interceptions.
Meanwhile, the 6.5 possessions won per 90 puts him second best behind Christian Eriksen, though the Dane ranks last in almost every other metric.
At the start of the season, Ten Hag’s midfield trio was Bruno Fernandes, Mount and Casemiro, with the English midfielder representing a physical upgrade on Eriksen from last season.
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When playing Mount has proved himself to be tenacious in midfield, with his tackles in the middle third coming at a rate of 1.75 per 90.
Before Mount’s Chelsea homecoming, Ten Hag said: “He’s a fantastic football player but it’s important first that he is getting and keeping fit.
“This is the first objective, to keep him fit. We want to use him [so] that he can benefit and contribute to the team.”
However, the numbers also show that Mount is weaker in the air compared to Casemiro and McTominay.
Mount’s expected goals and assists is also middling, with him behind box-crasher McTominay and Mainoo in that regard.
Naturally, there is the question of whether Mount could actually play the role if asked, but considering Eriksen did it at times last season for Man Utd, Mount likely could in an even more robust way as well.
Ultimately he was once again sidelined after the 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, though Ten Hag believes he could feature against Brighton on Sunday.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd's squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives it verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.
Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof – GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.
Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.
A midfield general is said to be on Man Utd’s transfer list this summer, with a massive clearout of the squad expected to also come along.
Club legend Wayne Rooney declared Man Utd bosses should keep Fernandes and the youngsters but move the rest on.
Mount has struggled with injury but his profile of player in terms of what he offer both on and off the ball is desirable for a team such as Man Utd – as proven by his time at Chelsea.
SunSport has backed Mount to stay for one more season to try to prove he can stay fit and find some form.
But the clock is already ticking with him before the plug could be pulled if his lacklustre time at Old Trafford continues.
Ten Hag appears to have won some favour back among fans in terms of his own future with a rousing speech after their 3-2 Newcastle win.
Though reports suggest his future at Man Utd is 50/50.
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag's Manchester United future?
Michael Owen – He has to go
“He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
“If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”
