Ten Hag says Mason Mount can make a name for himself at Manchester United! Scholes was blunt, and he couldn't fight for B fees if he didn't get hurt

With the new season just around the corner, Ten Hag has publicly encouraged a favourite, with the 54-year-old Netherlands believing Manchester United's £60 million midfielder Mason · Mount will start contributing to the team after a poor first season.

The 25-year-old England was given the number 7 shirt after moving from Chelsea to Manchester United, but Mount has only started once in the Premier League in the last 10 months due to multiple injuries and is considered another 'parallel No.7'.

When asked about Mount, Ten Hag, who has been favouring the England international since he was loaned to Vitesse in the Eredivisie when he was younger, emphasised: "We know he's a high-level player, he just needs to play his skills. Last season, he was terrible because of injuries and it was a very difficult season for him. Now we are very happy that he did very well in pre-season. I believe that from now on as long as he stays fit, he will contribute to the team, but it is important for every player."

Mount made just 20 appearances last season, scoring one goal and has not been named in the England squad since the 2022 World Cup. The midfielder has been okay with four of United's five pre-season starts, but he will be battling Red Devils captain Bruno · Fernandes for a place in midfield. Paul Scholes has been blunt and believes that even if Mount is not injured, it will be difficult to get playing time.

Scholes said: 'Manchester United spent most of the time in the middle of the midfield and the opposition were comfortable with us all day long. You say Casemiro can't run anymore, he's not that type of player. He's not fast, he's had great team-mates around him at Real Madrid in the past. When Mount came to Manchester United, I thought Ten Hag was a successful manager, he made changes but it didn't work out very well, he brought Casemiro, Mount and B Fee together, there were two no.10s, and it didn't work out very quickly. Later, Mount was injured. Will we be able to see him fit this year? But even if he's fit, he can't replace Fergues, and I think that's the only position he can play."

Scholes added: "I think he's in the same position as Fernandes and the manager has signed him as an attacking midfielder. But it upset the balance of the team and his performance in midfield suffered. Ten Hag wanted to play them together, but it didn't work.

Scholes also believes that Ten Hag's other favourite Andre · Onana will still make him "worry him to death".

'I've heard a lot of Manchester United fans say they're really excited about the new season and I'm struggling with that. Scholes explained: "I still think a lot of areas on the pitch are a problem for Manchester United. The new centre-back has been injured, Martinez was a regular injury last season, Harry Maguire was injured at the end of the season, so was Victor Lindelof, and now Varane is gone. I'm still worried about the goalkeeper, he thinks he's a big problem for me. Even in pre-season he conceded some goals and I was very worried about him."

Onana was signed to replace Serie A Fiorentina De Gea for his passing ability, but last season the 28-year-old Cameroon international was praised for his saves. Onana has also recently vowed to take a lot of risks this season.

"Yes, that's how I play." Onana said earlier this week, "I think that's what you're going to see this season because I'm going to take a lot of risks. I can tell you in advance, get ready, it's still going to be the case this season. But trust me, I'll enjoy it even more when the season starts. The best teams in the world take risks, organise attacks from the back, know the situation, know when the opponent is attacking one-on-one, when to press with three or four...... So it's important for me to recognise these situations and make the best decision for the team. I'm going to take on a lot of responsibilities and I think I'm strong enough to take on it all, don't I? I think it's going to be a great season!"