Manchester United star Mason Mount may be back to play Crystal Palace on Saturday but Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag may have a surprise alternative for the weekend trip to Selhurst Park.
In the opening two Premier League fixtures, Mason Mount was a clear favourite for Ten Hag to include in the starting XI.
The former Chelsea man put in an impressive display at the Amex Stadium against Brighton before coming off at halftime through injury.
If the Red Devils’ number seven is fit to play in the coming match against Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace, it would not be shocking to see him included in the starting XI.
However, Ten Hag may have an alternative Red Devils star who is in good form after being re-introduced into the fold against Southampton last weekend.
Christian Eriksen a Mount alternative after impressing in shock Southampton start
Christian Eriksen was key to Manchester United’s successful season in Ten Hag’s debut season in 2022/23.
However, in the last campaign, the former Tottenham Hotspur star was more of a squad player with the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo becoming one of the first names on the teamsheet.
There was mixed reaction to the team news at Saint Mary’s against Southampton last weekend when Eriksen was named in the United midfield.
The Danish International played well. with the midfielder linking play and keeping possession.
The former Inter Milan star was also impressive in the midweek League Cup fixture against Barnsley at Old Trafford.
The 32-year-old managed to score two goals in the impressive 7-0 victory.
With Mount’s fitness in question, Ten Hag may opt to continue picking Eriksen in midfield for the clash at Selhurst Park.
Eriksen’s skills are good – he still shows his trademark vision and is as precise as ever – and he’s been one of my favourite players for years. His endurance and defensive tackling, however, are weak points that I doubt will have improved in such a short space of time. There’ll be matches where Eriksen can excel but I doubt Palace is one of them.
On the other hand, I’m not a fan of Mount – much energetic work off the ball and he links play well, but he lacks creativity – I don’t think he’s a good fit at Man Utd.
Against Palace, I’d start Bruno, Mainoo and Ugarte in midfield, but it’s nice to have options for once.
To be fair, I was quite wrong about Eriksen in the Palace match – he played quite well for the full 90.
Every now and again, EtH reminds me that he’s a real-life professional football manager and I’m just a couch potato with an opinion.
… I mean ‘full time he was on’, not ‘full 90’ … geez, I’m having a Monday.