United won 1-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night, but it was far from convincing.
Wolves came near several times, while United looked disjointed and only avoided a late penalty shout when Andre Onana collided with Sasa Kalajdzic.
Starting the season with a win should be a joyous occasion, but Raphael Varane’s winner nearly felt like patching a gap.
This wasn’t exactly a performance that made fans believe United can compete for the Premier League title this season.
United will travel to North London this weekend to face Tottenham Hotspur, with Erik Ten Hag no likely hoping for a better result.
Gary Neville weighs in on Mason Mount’s position.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville is already looking ahead to the game against Tottenham Hotspur, highlighting Monday’s concerning midfield performance.
In midfield, Ten Hag used Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, and summer addition Mason Mount, but Wolves cut through the middle of the park far too readily.
Neville has now suggested on Twitter that Mount may need to swap positions after only one competitive game with United.
Neville believes Mount will play as a left winger against Tottenham, allowing Scott McTominay to join Casemiro in midfield.
After Monday’s performance, Neville believes’ something has to change and cannot imagine Ten Hag starting Alejandro Garncho on the left wing this weekend.
Mount’s brother responds to the initial criticism
Mount has been subjected to some unjustified criticism.
TalkSPORT published statistics highlighting Mount’s quiet night against Wolves, but his brother Lewis has defended him.
Mount’s brother said on Instagram that TalkSPORT should be ashamed for ‘throwing fuel to the fire’ by criticizing Mount.
Lewis went on to say that Mason has already had a very good career and is a wonderful person, slamming the TalkSPORT reporters for heaping on him.
Mount is still in his early days at United, but we expect him to make an impact for Ten Hag this season, whether in midfield or out wide.