Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has backed Mason Mount to succeed in a deeper midfield role this season.
The 24-year-old made his first competitive start for United in Monday's controversial 1-0 win over Wolves at Old Trafford, playing 68 minutes before being withdrawn for Christian Eriksen.
Mount joined United on a five-year deal earlier this summer, in a move that guaranteed Premier League rivals Chelsea £55m, and took on the club's iconic number seven shirt, most recently associated with Cristiano Ronaldo.
But Mount's goal and assist output is unlikely to come anywhere close to Ronaldo's, as he prepares to embark on playing a different role this season. Used to playing in advanced or even wide areas for Chelsea and England, Ten Hag sees things differently for a player well-known for his high intensity running and ability to press.
"I think he can [play deeper]," Ten Hag predicted of his big-money acquisiton, speaking ahead of Sunday's clash with Tottenham Hotspur. "Already, we have seen it in pre-season, but it's what I've said, definitely we have to work on many facets of our game but also that facet about midfield and the co-operation, how we have to set it.
"I'm sure we will get it [right], but it's not coming overnight and [if] it was easier then everyone could do it."
READ THE LATEST MAN UTD NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
Ten Hag likened Mount's adaption period to that of Christian Eriksen, who has also played in a more conventional midfield role after years of flourishing as a number 10.
Comparing Mount's situation to that of Eriksen, Ten Hag said: "Christian Eriksen, last season, came in and had the same. First time in his life he played in a deeper role and that was the ambition from Christian and then also the ambition from Mason.
"And so he wants to be more multifunctional. That's the way I see football, but as I say, it will not come overnight. There's a process we have to go through, but he’s very game-intelligent.
"He has the technical abilities, has also good vision on the ball. He knows how to deal with the ball. He has the dynamics, don't forget that. He has the mentality. So, all the ingredients are there to do it."
LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN's MAN UTD PODCAST: THE PROMISED LAND
On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette discuss the backlash Man Utd are facing over their handling of the Mason Greenwood situation. If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
This article was originally published on 90min as Erik ten Hag makes Mason Mount position prediction.
