Erik ten Hag will be pleased with how his midfield performed in Manchester United’s win over Fulham, and the stats back it up.
Manchester United stuck with the experimental formation that Erik ten Hag used in the FA Cup Final win over Fulham back in May. The approach proved effective again, with the 1-0 scoreline flattering Fulham, as United could have easily won by three or four goals.
This setup was partly driven by Rasmus Hojlund’s injury, but it also allowed Mason Mount to start.
Mount was active from the start, coming close to scoring early in the second half with a shot that was blocked by Bernd Leno. However, his most significant impact was off the ball, where his relentless pressing put Fulham under pressure.
According to Sky Sports, Mount led the Premier League in ‘counter pressures’ over the weekend, with 25 in total. A ‘counter pressure’ is defined as putting an opponent under pressure within two seconds of them receiving the ball. Fulham’s Alex Iwobi was the second-best with 20, and United’s Kobbie Mainoo was also high on the list with 16.
Sky Sport described Mount’s contribution as “remarkable,” especially given that he only played 60 minutes before being substituted. After he left the field, Fulham found more opportunities on the counter-attack, highlighting his importance to United’s game plan.
Another standout was Kobbie Mainoo, who dominated in duels, winning 13—more than any player in any match during the Premier League’s opening weekend. His physicality and confidence were on full display as he completed four successful dribbles, the most of any player at Old Trafford that night.
Ten Hag will be delighted with the performances of both Mount and Mainoo. Mount is rebounding from a challenging, injury-plagued 2023/24 season, while Mainoo, who missed pre-season due to his Euro 2024 commitments, continues to show his class and reliability.
