“Very surprised…” – Andy Cole explains two reasons behind Mason Mount’s ‘difficult’ start at Manchester United

Andy Cole believes that Mason Mount’s ‘difficult’ start to life at Manchester United has been down to two major reasons.

Mount, 24, joined from Chelsea in a shock summer move for a total package of £60 million to bolster Erik ten Hag’s midfield at United.

He started the season in the midfield alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes and struggled to stamp his authority on the games and then picked up an injury shortly afterwards.

Four appearances before the international break provided a platform to build from, with Mount being one of the standout performers for the club, but Andy Cole still thinks there is much to come from the midfielder.

The former United striker has stated that both the injury sustained and the price tag that Mount came for are reasonings behind his difficult beginning at Old Trafford.

“Difficult. Very, very difficult,” replied Cole when asked about the 24-year-old’s start by BetFred. “I believe that Mason is a good solid player, but he was injured at the start of the season and I’m sure he wouldn’t be happy with his performances so far as he would have expected more from himself. 

“He’s come to a club that had massive expectations on them at the start of the season and it’s not worked out so far from the player and the club’s perspective.

“I was surprised [with the signing] to be honest. It was a very left-field signing in my opinion and it was a move that came from nowhere. The biggest question mark regarding the move was how much they signed him for, because they spent £60 million on a player that only had one year remaining on their contract.

“Large transfer sums are part of the reason why players have so many questions asked about them and Manchester United’s fans in particular always get frustrated with their transfer business because they’re always seemingly paying over the odds for players.

“As Mason’s performances haven’t been of the standard expected of him so far this season, then he’s going to face a bit of criticism but that’s expected in football.”