Man Utd star Mason Mount facing ‘unfair talks’ due to Bruno Fernandes and team-mate

Mason Mount has been told to expect “unfair” treatment at Manchester United in the coming weeks. Mount started United’s narrow 1-0 win over Fulham last Friday, with Rasmus Hojlund sidelined with injury for the first few weeks of the season.

Aside from a golden chance to open the scoring after half-time, the 25-year-old was largely a passenger before being replaced by match-winner Joshua Zirkzee on the hour mark. And it’s now been suggested Mount’s best will never be shown when he’s playing alongside Bruno Fernandes.

Ex-Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott struggles to see them starting together. Appearing on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast Rio Presents, Lescott was asked by the United legend if Erik ten Hag can harness both their talents simultaneously.

He answered (via the MEN): “In that team, I think it’s hard – it’s impossible. When he was going there, there was speculation about Liverpool. I was nervous because I think he would’ve suited him that a lot more – the pressing, the energy he brings. At United, he’s similar to Bruno in terms of – not the way he plays, but the position he plays.

“Now it’s going to be unfair to him because he’s playing out of position, but when the striker comes back, he’ll be the one that’s sacrificed. It won’t be like ‘oh now you go and play in your best position and let’s see’. It will be like ‘you’ve done us a job, cheers, now come and sit next to me’.”

Lescott and Ferdinand were also joined by former Chelsea assistant Jody Morris, who worked with Mount at Stamford Bridge. And he believes the midfielder is better suited to a deeper role than the No.10 position favoured by Fernandes.

“I remember at the beginning of last season, everything was about, and there was so-called pundits talking about that ‘Man United are just way too open when playing Mason and Bruno’,” Morris recalled. “You’d have to say it’s a fair comment at the beginning of the season.

“But what you then don’t hear them do is say ‘well by the way they remained open for the rest of the season’, which had nothing to do with Mason, whoever was playing in midfield. I love the kid as a player but also as a lad – you’d want him to do well.”

Hojlund isn’t expected to return before the September international break. But Zirkzee has immediately staked a claim for a starting spot with his Friday night heroics at Old Trafford, which could see Mount dropped to the bench once more when United travel to face Brighton in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.