Following Monday evening’s dismal 1-0 win against Wolves at Old Trafford, MyBettingSites caught up with former Manchester United defender Paul Parker to discuss the performance of Erik ten Hag’s men whilst looking ahead to their Saturday evening fixture against Tottenham.
Parker also offered his views on the way former Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has settled into life at Old Trafford under ten Hag.
How Will Mason Mount Fit In At Manchester United?
When Manchester United announced the £55m signing of Mason Mount, much of the attention from the deal quickly switched to how United would find a balance of having both Mount and Bruno Fernandes in the team. Both naturally prefer playing in the number ten role but have been asked to occupy similar areas of the pitch in ten Hag’s system.
During the Wolverhampton win, Casemiro found himself as United’s deepest lying midfielder but was left on an island alone as Wolves continued to push forward and attack the spaces left between Fernandes/Mount and Casemiro.
“I need to figure out how it’s gonna work. You got two players who run around but they’re not in cohesion when they do it. Mason Mount was running off trying to close people down with no one behind him.
“I’m not really sure about him. I’m looking at what he did at Chelsea. He was a young lad, he was enthusiastic. He’s a Chelsea fan. Chelsea’s going to be his first love because that’s where He started his love for playing football. I’m not really sure about how he is going to be utilised at Manchester United.
“I’m looking at him and with the ball he didn’t do a lot. You’d expect If you’re gonna come in here and replace Eriksen, you need someone there who’s gonna get hold of the ball and be calm, and keep the ball moving and then pick a pass. That’s not Mason Mount or Fernandes.”
‘You Need To Do More Than Run Around To Be A United Player’
Much of Mason’s Mount’s career has been a conversation surrounding what his worth is to the teams he plays for. To some he’s just a hard worker who follows his manager’s instructions. Parker says he doesn’t believe running around isn’t enough when it comes to being a United player.
“You can talk about the energy of Mount but I think you need more than energy to be a Manchester United player. We know about Fernandes and Casemiro so Mount is the one they’ve got to sort of exactly what his role is because I don’t think anyone knows what that is.
“Mount has played in big games. He’s got a Champions League winners medal so there’s no doubting he’s played in big games. So he should be able to get himself through this one and prove a point by going away to Tottenham. Might make a difference to him going there because he knows the fans are going to be having a go at him as an ex Chelsea player. So that he might rise to that occasion.
“Casimiro needs help around him. He’s a quality player and he proved that last season. He doesn’t drop to that level just like that. Without there’s something not being right within that midfield. And of course there is still the problem of having someone to play into in the front line.”
Could Sancho Come Into The United Side Against Tottenham?
Winger Jadon Sancho has endured a turbulent time at Old Trafford but will be hoping for a better third season at United. Sancho came off the bench and looked sharper than he has previously. However, it wasn’t enough for Parker who who unimpressed with all the United players despite the win against Wolves.
“People might be looking at and saying Sancho looks alright because of how he was last season. But he ran with it and he ran with it, then he checked back. And he passed it back. He made a few runs into the box. If they say he had a go or he had an effort then yes but that’s not what you expect from a player at Manchester United.
“You’re looking for a bit more. He had an opportunity there to go and grasp it. Really dig in. Garnacho was awful. He never grabbed it but I have to say Semedo has gotten better and better since his time at Wolves where he started awful. But he’s come back and he’s got stronger and stronger, and he was very good defensively.
“But no, I don’t agree with that. I mean, no, I’m not giving anything to any player.”
Manchester United are priced at 27/20 with Fitzdares to beat Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, in what is likely to be a closely-fought battle between both teams.
Parker Previews Tottenham vs Manchester United
Parker argues that he had already seen some worrying signs during pre-season and so the Wolves performance has allowed him to draw some conclusions. He claims United have ‘dug a bigger hole’ with the Wolves fixture.
Next up for United is Tottenham away on Saturday evening and Parker is wary of the revival in form of Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma who shone during the 2-2 draw away to Brentford.
“You should never set anything after the first game, that’s what they all say but I don’t see why you can’t because allegedly they’ve had 7-9 pre-season games already.
“So why can’t you suddenly come out and draw conclusions after the first game? That’s where you’re meant to be putting down your foundation. At the moment United haven’t put down a foundation but they’ve dug a bigger hole.
“You look at Tottenham and all of a sudden, I’m seeing the Bissouma we saw at Brighton. Incredible. Same drive, same aggression, driving with the ball, clever little passes.
“What have Man Utd got to expect against Spurs? A team that are playing as a team. A team that does not have individuals anymore. They’re actually going to get people working.”
The hiring of Ange Postecoglu at Tottenham has rejuvenated a club that was in dire need of new leadership and energy. Postecoglou has developed a reputation for playing progressive, exciting football and he will be looking to bring that to his tenure at Tottenham. Some of this was on display during their opening draw against Brentford on Sunday and Parker warns United they will be in for a game on Saturday.
“Tottenham can get better. Tottenham can surprise people. It’s the strength of the manager. People are digging him out on certain things. I’ve seen quotes from normal people – ‘he doesn’t know the Premier League’ – that rubbish. He knows football.
“He’s learned the hard way by working with amateur players. All the players he worked with had ambitions to be better and play at bigger places than where they were. He did that at Celtic as well, bringing in Japanese, Korean and Portuguese players. Hungry players.
“Bissouma is the one United need to focus one because he’s a good athlete. He’s going to work hard with or without the ball.
“Richarlison is another one. He’ll get the regular football he wants and he’ll only get better and better. He’s a centre forward who if he’s having a bad time, then the opposing centre halves have a bad time as well. Like Mark Hughes, he moans and gets into their heads and defenders lose their way and he wins something from it.”
