Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images
Mason Mount’s resurgence has been the story of this pre-season so far, and even in his brilliant displays, one moment stood out vs Atletico.
For the third pre-season game in a row, Mason Mount was the standout performer in a new-look defensive midfielder role.
Andrey Santos’ defensive discipline helps, but what Mount is doing in that role next to him deserves immense credit.
This is a player with confidence flowing through his veins, and it was summed up by one moment vs Atletico.
Manchester United v Atletico de Madrid - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Mason Mount’s breathtaking moment vs Atletico
Mount’s quality as a footballer has never been in doubt, but even by those standards, it has been a surprise how natural he looks in that deeper role.
Carrick has profiled his skill set perfectly, and next to Santos, has created one of the most technical midfield pivots at Old Trafford.
That technical brilliance was on full display vs Atletico in one moment in particular, as noted by former Red Devil Jesper Blomqvist, who had to “stand up and applaud”.
He said: “I think he [Mason] really just needs to carry on the way he’s going and avoid injuries to get the momentum going for him. In the end, he had one nutmeg at the end which was fantastic, and you had to stand up and applaud. He’s getting in really good shape.
That moment allowed United to escape the press in their own half as Mount dropped his shoulder and jinked past the rushing Atletico player.
He had acres of space to run into after that, which is quickly becoming a feature of this side.
Mount’s resurgence personifies Michael Carrick’s tactical setup
Carrick compromised his principles last season to get immediate results, and his use of Mount in a deeper role confirms that point.
Mason Mount win rate comparison
Mason Mount win rate comparison
His ideal team would be full of technical players who are not afraid of taking ownership of the ball when they are crowded.
He trusts them to find solutions on the pitch because he platforms them in a way that the solution is right in front of them most times.
This has all the makings of an elite side, much like PSG, whose midfield inspired Carrick when he watched them in the Champions League last season as UEFA’s technical observer.
With so much focus on athleticism and pace, technical qualities are making a comeback to provide equivalance in the world.
Carrick could be the pioneer of that change if United convert these performances into points in the league.