INEOS identify this Manchester United star as last season’s “biggest disappointment”
Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount emerged as one of the biggest disappointments of last season during the club’s end-of-season review REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
Mason Mount emerged as one of the biggest disappointments of the 2023-24 campaign during Manchester United’s end-of-season review, reports have suggested.
As new co-owners INEOS reviewed Erik ten Hag’s future at the club’s managerial helm, they also explored other areas that could be improved ahead of next season, a report by MEN has indicated.
Transfers completed during last year’s transfer window, made with an eye on long-term results, were also scrutinised.
One key takeaway from this analysis was the identification of one of the biggest disappointments of the season: Mason Mount.
What next for Mason Mount at Manchester United?
The £55m signing from Chelsea started the season slowly, before losing his place in the starting lineup and subsequently struggling with injuries and overall fitness. Mount managed 20 appearances and eight starts for the Red Devils all term, contributing just one goal and one assist.
Eventually, he lost his place in the starting lineup for good to young Kobbie Mainoo. The academy graduate, alongside star man Bruno Fernandes, is now part of the ‘undroppable’ midfield duo for Ten Hag.
All in all, Mount’s season-long output was disappointingly different from the expectations set on him when he took up the legendary #7 shirt upon arrival. And with United expected to bring in a holding midfielder this summer, Mount will now have to fight his way back onto the field next term.
However, the report adds that the United hierarchy has no plans of giving up on the Englishman, who Ten Hag fought very hard to bring in.
In fact, the end-of-season review has pinned renewed hopes on the £163m trio of Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund. The latter two took some time to adjust before hitting the ground running last campaign, and Mount is expected to do the same during his second season in Manchester.
Interestingly, Mount was also a key figure during the discussions Sir Jim Ratcliffe had with Thomas Tuchel during the managerial search a few weeks ago.
Tuchel reportedly pointed out how he was able to get the best out of the energetic midfielder during their time at Chelsea. Mount played his best football under the German tactician, even creating the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final.
While the promise of extracting more from Mount wasn’t enough to land Tuchel the United job, the fact remains that the 25-year-old is still a key signing for Manchester United. All eyes will now be on how he performs during his second season in the famous red shirt.