Mason Mount’s arrival at Manchester United has brought about an interesting conundrum for Bruno Fernandes. The England international, who made the switch from Chelsea to Old Trafford in a deal worth up to £60 million, has already been given the responsibility of taking set-pieces during his debut for the club.
In the absence of Fernandes, Mount stepped up and took charge of set pieces, showcasing his ability to deliver accurate corners and free-kicks. This could potentially create competition between the two players, as they both covet the coveted No. 10 position at United.
Not only do they occupy the same role on the pitch, but they also have a shared love for taking set-pieces. Mount was Chelsea’s designated corner taker during his time at the club and also took many of their free-kicks. On the other hand, Fernandes has established himself as United’s go-to player for free-kicks and corners, and he is also likely to be Erik ten Hag’s captain next season.
During Mount’s unofficial debut for the Red Devils against Leeds in Norway, he took charge of corner and free-kick duties while Fernandes was away. This caught the attention of talkSPORT’s Ian Abrahams, who commented on Mount’s role in the match. Abrahams remarked, “Mount is already on free-kicks and corners. I can tell you that will be interesting when Bruno Fernandes gets back in the team. It does look really weird to see Mount in that iconic Manchester United No. 7 shirt.”
The question now remains as to how United will line up next season with both Mount and Fernandes in the same side. One possible scenario could see them both playing as attacking ‘8s’ in a 4-3-3 formation, with Casemiro holding midfield. This would likely result in Christian Eriksen taking on a lesser role in the squad.
However, there could also be potential exits for players like Fred and Scott McTominay, with the latter being linked with a move to West Ham or Newcastle. This would open up more opportunities for Mount and Fernandes to establish themselves as key players in the team.
In their recent friendly against Leeds, United emerged as 2-0 winners, with young talents Noam Emeram and Joe Hugill finding the back of the net. This victory sets a positive tone for the club as they prepare for the upcoming season.
United now have eight more friendlies to play before the start of the season on August 6. This tight schedule of matches within a span of just 25 days will provide ample opportunities for Mount and Fernandes to showcase their skills and stake their claim for the No. 10 position and set-piece duties.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on how Mount and Fernandes navigate this interesting conundrum. Their competition for the No. 10 role and set-piece responsibilities will undoubtedly add an extra layer of excitement and intrigue to Manchester United’s campaign. Fans will eagerly await the outcome and see how these two talented players contribute to the success of the team.