Mount's midfielder mindset

On the United App and ManUtd.com, it has become increasingly difficult to categorise every player by position, given the nature of the modern game and the system deployed by head coach Ruben Amorim.

Mason Mount is one of these. In our eyes, as with Bruno Fernandes, he is a midfielder.

Yet there is a perfectly valid argument that our no.7, like Bruno up until this season, often occupies one of the forward positions in the 3-4-2-1 formation.

So, is he a midfield man when he would usually be playing opposite, say, Matheus Cunha or Bryan Mbeumo, whom we would always classify as forwards.

 

When we asked Mount about whether he was a no.8 or a no.10, and his role in general, he provided the perfect response, in an interview to be published in full in next Thursday's United Review, the official matchday programme.

“Yeah, I think, for me, I’ve always looked at myself as a midfielder, ever since I was young," he declared.

"So I always kind of have that midfielder mindset and that outlook on the game. So, if I am playing higher up on the pitch and in a no.10 role, I will always have the midfielder mindset, even though I may go a little bit higher up on the pitch.

"So, yeah, for me, I always love getting forward into the box and trying to get on the end of crosses or create any opportunities but, whenever we do lose the ball, and there is a counter-attack for the opposition team, I’m trying to get back in and help the midfield.

"And be that kind and of third midfielder, to help the lads.”

Mount's previous work for Chelsea and England have illustrated his tactical versatility and intelligence, even before becoming a Red in 2023.

"I always grew up playing in like a no.8 role," he continued in his club media interview. "I’ve had obviously experience in playing in the no.10 in a similar formation to that we’re playing now.

"So any time, I’ve played in many positions in my career, and you always kind of take that experience moving forward and implement the little things into your game.

"If I played higher up on the pitch, maybe in a winger role say, you have to have a little bit of a different mindset. You really need to be aggressive and attacking, going forward.

"But, as I said before, with me seeing myself as a midfielder," he added. "I always look at the other side of the game as well. And, if that’s second balls, from like a long goal-kick, I would always try to be getting the second ball and win that battle against my man.

"Yes, that’s always how I look at the game but, if I’m in that no.10 position, my responsibility really is also getting into the box, creating and trying to score goals. And linking up with the other two up front so, yeah, I enjoy it.”

Mount came on at half-time against Everton on Monday and played predominantly in a left-forward position, sweeping one shot narrowly wide of Jordan Pickford's far post and setting Fernandes up for a big chance that the skipper prodded off target.

The 26-year-old will hope to make the starting line-up for Sunday's clash at Crystal Palace, as Amorim's men aim to bounce back from the Old Trafford loss.

Just don't get us started on the fact we list Amad as a forward and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu as a defender, yet they can both be playing wing-back!

Look out for the Mason Mount interview in full in the matchday programme for our next home fixture, against West Ham United.