Bruno Fernandes has stated Erik ten Hag is yet to decide whether he or Mason Mount will play as Manchester United’s No 10, and praised the new signing’s “passion and aggression”.
As United’s captain, Fernandes is a first choice under Ten Hag and both he and Mount can operate as a playmaker, in a wide forward berth, or in central midfield. He was asked who will be fielded as the No 10 following the England player’s arrival from Chelsea.
“No, we haven’t spoken about that decision,” the Portuguese said. “It’s the manager who makes that decision. Both of us can play in many roles. I said this a couple of years ago, that he [Mount] is one of the best players in the Premier League at the time and I hope he can do it again because he is a really good player and he is still really young – he has a long way to go.
“We are really happy to have him here, wherever he plays, as a 10 or 8 or wing. We can both do that. The most important thing is that we help the team succeed.”
Mount was Ten Hag’s first summer signing, joining in a £60m deal. Fernandes marked this by posting a photograph of him grabbing Mount as the latter tried to challenge David de Gea during a tussle in a game between United and Chelsea. Alongside this he wrote the joke caption: “Why did you take so long to sign?”
Fernandes said: “We need players with that kind of aggression and passion, we need players to be like that in the games. These are the kind of players that I like to play against and even more to have in my side so I am happy he is here now. And now instead of me on the side of David, it’s me on the side of Mason defending him from someone else. Now he is on my side and I will do everything I can to defend him.”
Fernandes outlined more of Mount’s qualities. “He is really good at pressing, he has a lot of energy, and really good on the ball,” the 28-year-old said. “He has goals and assists in him too. He can create chances so we are expecting a lot from him but he is aware of that. He is at a big club and he knows the expectations on him will be big.”
Mount does not have a particular point to prove. “He has a point to prove like everyone else,” said Fernandes. “I have a point to prove, so does Licha [Lisandro Martínez], Casemiro, Rapha [Varane], André [Onana], H [Harry Maguire], Victor [Lindelöf]. It’s not about him. He doesn’t have to prove anything more than anyone else.”
