Mason Mount is determined to deliver for Manchester United supporters after playing in front of the faithful for the very first time on Wednesday afternoon.
Our recent recruit from Chelsea started the Reds’ opening pre-season friendly, against Leeds United in Oslo, and was involved in some of the team’s best creative moments during his 45-minute run-out.
In a country where his new club has traditionally had strong support, Mount admitted he was impressed by the reception the players had on arrival in the Norwegian capital and at Ullevaal Stadion where the game was staged.
If it was mission accomplished off the field, in terms of engaging with the supporters in Oslo, then it was also a successful afternoon on it as senior players such as Mount, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and especially Lisando Martinez, playing his first game since being injured against Sevilla in April, clocked up valuable match minutes.
“We’ve been working very hard [in training], so it’s good to now put it into practice and play on the pitch now,”
“That first week is mostly focused on getting the legs going again, getting the distance in the legs by running. But we’ve definitely been working on a few tactics as well, coming into this game. I’ve definitely got a great understanding of how the manager wants to work and how the boys play.
“Obviously now it’s about using these games to work at it more and and putting it into practice when we get on the pitch. It was a good start today, a good win. As I said, it’s important to get the minutes in the legs, but it’s important to win as well and that’s what we want to do this season.
“All of us had a tough week, but it’s great to have that 45 minutes in the tank now.”
Said Mount, who signed for the Reds in the same week the squad returned to Carrington.
Proudly wearing the no.7 shirt, our first summer signing operated in a deeper midfield position with the likes of Hannibal roaming further forward. In fact, it was the Tunisian who got on the end of an Amad cross, when Mount really upped the ante with a penetrative pass out to the Ivorian on the right.
“I really liked that role today,”
“Being able to drop in and get on the ball and start the play from a bit deeper, but also having that freedom to be able to get forward and get in the box.”
Said Mason.
Referencing the moment when he dispossessed young Leeds centre-back Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen and clipped a shot onto the roof of the net, Mount said:
“I tried to make the runs in behind and help the press from the front. I had that chance just by starting off the press.”
Mount and the other 10 starters were rested for the second half and given the opportunity to watch the younger members of Ten Hag’s 26-man travelling squad take on their Leeds counterparts.
“When the younger boys came on and played, they were amazing,”
“They were brilliant. It was really exciting for the club to see them come on and do well.”
Said the England international.
Source: ManchesterUnited.com
