Rio Ferdinand has explained three reasons why he feels Mason Mount may start over Matheus Cunha when Manchester United face off against Liverpool.
Manchester United head into the October international break in far better spirits than they did a month ago, following a 2–0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford that delivered a crucial three points.
Mason Mount opened his account for the season, while summer signing Benjamin Šeško added his second goal in United colours. At the other end, debutant Senne Lammens kept the club’s first clean sheet of the campaign.
A far sterner challenge, though, lies ahead in just under two weeks’ time, as Rúben Amorim’s men prepare to take on Liverpool at Anfield once domestic football resumes.
United have not tasted victory there since January 2016, when Wayne Rooney’s late winner sealed the points for Louis van Gaal’s side.
Why Mount will start over Cunha vs Liverpool
Many were surprised to see that Mount was starting the fixture against Sunerland ahead of summer arrival Matheus Cunha, although the former’s brilliant display soon quashed critics.
With the Liverpool tie now the next up, there is a debate to be had as to who starts at Anfield. Although it could be the chaotic type of game Cunha could thrive in on the break, former United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has explained three reasons why Amorim may well opt for Mount instead.
“What is the benchmark of a Mason Mount performance? What’s the identity of a Mason Mount performance? What’s in his makeup consistently when you see him? Energy, pressing, [and] a work ethic,” Ferdinand explained on his YouTube channel.
“They’re the three basics that are just something that… He could be playing rubbish, you know a 2/10 with the ball; but you’re going to get the other side of him.
“So if you’re a manager of a team, you take that. It’s a ‘I want the quality and I need the quality, but at least I know I’m definitely going to get hard work, graft, intensity that could feed out to the other team’. More often than not, you’re going to play that player.”
Having options is a positive for Amorim
Liverpool have lost their last three fixtures in a row after winning their opening five Premier League games, and it feels unfathomable that the previous season’s Champions would lose a fourth, especially against a poor United side, at Anfield.
However, Amorim having options to come off the bench could be the key to seeing the United head coach finally able to secure back-to-back wins in the Premier League and record United’s first league win at Anfield in almost a decade.
If Mount is to start, it’s because Amorim wants to keep his formation compact, tight, and have a high-volume presser to get at Liverpool’s weak defensive line while being able to track back and maintain his position.
As the game progresses, Liverpool’s formidable front line is likely to be able to penetrate United’s defensive line at least once, so having players such as Cunha and possibly Joshua Zirkzee coming off the bench in the second half could provide much-needed firepower.
Cunha is a player who thrives off instinct, ingenuity, and chaos. Liverpool’s topsy-turvey games so far this season, combined with United’s possible need to throw the kitchen sink at Slot’s Reds, could provide the Brazilian with a perfect cocktail of opportunity to strike from the bench in the second half.
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