Manchester United’s turbulent season continues to provide more questions than answers. From inconsistent results to tactical confusion, the Red Devils find themselves under increasing scrutiny. Among the most vocal critics is former club captain and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, who did not hold back in his analysis of Erik ten Hag’s latest tactical choices—particularly the sight of Mason Mount deployed as a wing-back.
Neville’s verdict was sharp and unambiguous:
“You can’t play Mason Mount wing-back, it’s ridiculous.”
His comments struck a chord with fans and pundits alike, igniting debate about Manchester United’s direction, the manager’s decision-making, and whether Mount himself is being unfairly shoehorned into roles that do not suit his talents.
This article explores the context behind Neville’s outburst, analyzes the tactical implications of using Mount in such a position, and situates the criticism within the broader struggles at Old Trafford.
The Context United’s Season of Turmoil
The 2024–25 campaign has been anything but straightforward for United. After finishing last season with some optimism—a domestic cup run, Champions League qualification, and a clearer tactical identity under Ten Hag—this year has seen regression on multiple fronts.
- Inconsistent results: United have struggled to put together sustained winning runs, dropping points against mid-table sides and being outclassed by rivals.
- Injury crises: Key players like Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martínez, and Casemiro have missed stretches, forcing constant reshuffling.
- Identity crisis: Ten Hag’s once-promising high-pressing, possession-based approach has been watered down, leaving the team caught between philosophies.
Amid this backdrop, Mason Mount—signed from Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for a substantial fee—has become a focal point of tactical experimentation.
Mason Mount The Midfield Creator Misused
Mason Mount’s career has been built on versatility, energy, and intelligence. At Chelsea, he thrived as a forward-leaning No. 8, linking midfield and attack, pressing relentlessly, and contributing goals and assists. His best role has always been in central areas, either in an attacking midfield three or drifting in from wide in a creative capacity.
For England, Mount has similarly been used in advanced roles, tasked with pressing high, breaking lines, and finding pockets of space. Rarely has he been deployed in a deep or defensive role, let alone as a wing-back.
United’s decision to push Mount into unfamiliar positions—first as a deeper No. 6 and then, most recently, as a wing-back—has baffled observers. Neville, himself a legendary right-back, was particularly incensed.
Neville’s Criticism Why It Matters
Neville’s comments go beyond a simple tactical disagreement. As someone who knows the demands of wide defensive roles intimately, his perspective carries weight.
- Positional mismatch: Wing-backs must provide defensive solidity, track runners, and deliver width in attack. These are not Mount’s natural strengths.
- Wasted talent: Deploying a creative midfielder in a defensive position negates his attacking contributions.
- Message to squad: Such decisions can create confusion, suggesting the manager lacks trust in natural full-backs or fails to optimize players in their best roles.
Neville summed it up succinctly:
“Mount is not a defender. He’s not a wing-back. Asking him to play there is unfair on him and ridiculous for the team.”
The Tactical Experiment Ten Hag’s Rationale
Why, then, did Ten Hag opt for such an unorthodox setup?
- Injury crisis at full-back: With Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, and Diogo Dalot all battling knocks at different times, United have been stretched thin in wide defensive areas.
- Desire for midfield overload: By placing Mount wide but asking him to invert, Ten Hag may have hoped to gain numerical superiority in central areas.
- Flexibility against opposition: Some argue Ten Hag wanted Mount’s energy and pressing ability to nullify Newcastle’s wide threats, for example.
Yet even with these mitigating factors, the execution looked muddled. Mount appeared uncomfortable, often caught between attacking instinct and defensive responsibility. United’s shape suffered, and the opposition exploited the gaps.
Fan Reaction Frustration Mounts
United supporters did not mince words on social media after seeing Mount in such a role.
- “Why buy Mount for £55 million just to turn him into a wing-back?”
- “Ten Hag is overcomplicating things. Mount should be in midfield creating, not defending wide.”
- “Neville is right—it’s ridiculous.”
For a fanbase already weary of tactical inconsistency, the experiment reinforced the narrative of confusion and wasted potential.
Mount’s Perspective Adaptability vs. Identity
To his credit, Mason Mount has rarely complained publicly about his roles. At Chelsea, he often filled gaps across midfield and attack. At United, he has spoken about the honor of playing for the club and his willingness to adapt.
But adaptability has limits. Constantly shifting roles can hinder a player’s rhythm, confidence, and ability to showcase strengths. At 25, Mount should be entering his prime as a creative midfielder, not grappling with defensive positioning on the wing.
Comparisons When Experiments Fail
United are not the first club to experiment with players in unusual positions.
- Steven Gerrard at right-back (2001): Short-lived and ineffective, Liverpool quickly abandoned the idea.
- Anderson at left-back (Manchester United, 2009): A disaster remembered more as comedy than tactical genius.
- Kai Havertz at left-back (Chelsea, 2022 pre-season): Prompted ridicule and immediate rethinking.
In rare cases, conversions work—Antonio Valencia’s shift to right-back was a success, and Victor Moses thrived as a wing-back under Antonio Conte. But these are exceptions, not the rule. Mount does not fit that mold.
United’s Structural Problems
Neville’s critique touches on broader issues that extend beyond Mount’s role:
- Lack of clear tactical identity: Constant formation shifts undermine cohesion.
- Failure to maximize players’ strengths: Mount is one example, but others like Jadon Sancho and Antony have also looked diminished.
- Squad imbalance: Injuries expose a lack of depth in key areas, forcing awkward reshuffles.
- Pressure on Ten Hag: With results faltering, the manager appears to be searching desperately for solutions.
The Midfield Puzzle
Mount’s awkward deployment is also a symptom of United’s crowded yet unbalanced midfield. With Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay, Sofyan Amrabat, and Mount all vying for minutes, Ten Hag has struggled to find the right blend.
- Casemiro offers defensive steel but lacks mobility.
- Bruno thrives in advanced areas but leaves gaps defensively.
- Eriksen provides creativity but not pressing intensity.
- Amrabat adds ball retention but struggles against dynamic attacks.
Mount was meant to add balance with his pressing and energy, but instead, he has become the odd man out—misused rather than integrated.
Neville’s Larger Point Leadership and Clarity
Neville’s blunt dismissal of Mount at wing-back reflects a larger concern: United’s lack of clarity in vision and leadership.
A great club needs a clear philosophy. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool, and even Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs this season are built on identifiable principles. United, by contrast, veer from cautious possession to desperate counter-attacks, from rigid defensive lines to experimental improvisation.
For Neville, the Mount experiment epitomizes this drift. It’s not just about one player out of position—it’s about a club without a coherent plan.
The Impact on Mount’s Career
If the misuse continues, Mount risks becoming symbolic of United’s dysfunction. Instead of being remembered as a marquee signing who elevated the midfield, he could be seen as a player squandered by poor tactical choices.
Already, questions are being asked:
- Did United even need Mount when other areas of the squad were more pressing?
- Can he be integrated into a stable role, or will he remain a square peg in a round hole?
- Could he eventually become disillusioned, as other creative talents have at Old Trafford?
Mount’s future may depend as much on Ten Hag’s tactical clarity as on his own performances.
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