The £55m signing played the first half in Oslo on Wednesday (Pictures: Getty / MUTV)
Mason Mount was delighted to pull on a Manchester United shirt for the first time in Wednesday’s pre-season victory over Leeds, while manager Erik ten Hag was pleased with what he saw from his new recruit.
The Red Devils are still without their international stars but named a relatively strong line-up for the first half of their friendly in Oslo, with Mount going close to opening the scoring with a chip.
With the scores goalless at the break, Ten Hag shuffled his pack for the second half and a youthful side secured a 2-0 victory over their recently relegated opponents thanks to goals from Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill.
Mount looked sharp despite missing the backend of last season through injury and he enjoyed his maiden appearance in a United shirt, while he says he has adapted to Ten Hag’s football – and the role asked of him – quickly.
Asked how it felt to take to the field as a United player for the first time, Mount told MUTV: ‘Yeah very good. Obviously we’ve had a week of training so great to get that first game going.
‘We’ve been working very hard so it’s good to now put it into practice and play on the pitch.’
On his role in the team against Leeds, Mount continued: ‘I really liked that role today, being able to drop in deep and get on the ball and start the play from a bit deeper.
Mount tussles for the ball with Leeds winger Luis Sinisterra (Picture: Getty)
Mount was on set-piece duty for United in the friendly (Picture: Getty)
‘But also having that freedom to be able to get forward and get in the box and try and make the runs in behind and help the press from the front.
‘I really enjoy that position, being able to do both sides, and also try to start off the press – like I nearly had that chance just starting off the press and going from the front as well.
‘I thought it worked really well. All the boys, we’ve had a tough week, but great to have that 45 minutes in the tank now.’
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He added: ‘We’ve definitely been working on a few tactics coming into the game. Obviously that first week is mostly focused on getting the legs going again, getting distance in the legs, running, preparing for these games.
‘But I’ve definitely got a great understanding of how the manager wants to work and how the boys play, and obviously it’s using these games now to work at it more and putting it into practice when we get onto the pitch.’
Ten Hag was very happy with what he saw from Mount and when asked to rate the £55million signing’s display, he replied: ‘Great. First time [in the team] but we could expect this.
‘I think for him it’s just his first [step] because he has so much skills. I’m sure we will take so much joy from him and he will contribute to our performance absolutely.’
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The £55m signing played the first half in Oslo on Wednesday.
