Mason Mount makes an impact: Things we learned from Manchester United’s friendly win over Leeds

Manchester United returned to action after a summer break with a 2-0 win over old rivals Leeds United at the Ullevaal Stadion in soggy Oslo.

Erik ten Hag played a stronger side in the first half, giving £60million signing Mason Mount his debut before making 11 changes at half-time, while new Leeds boss Daniel Farke opted for a more even mix of first-teamers and youngsters throughout the match.

It was United’s kids who ensured Ten Hag got off to a winning start as second-half goals from Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill proved the difference. Mail Sport takes a look at some of the things we learned from the first pre-season friendly.

Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United started pre-season with a 2-0 victory against Leeds in Oslo

MOUNT’S THE MAN

Erik ten Hag told fans before kick-off what Mason Mount will bring to United and, on the whole, the new signing from Chelsea delivered on his debut.

‘He wants to be multi-functional, he wants to be complete,’ said Ten Hag. ‘When you’re playing in midfield, you have to attack but you also have to defend.

‘I’m sure he will bring a dynamic into our game, and that was one of our analyses or conclusions we made after last season – we need more dynamic in the midfield department.’

Mount was never far from the heart of the action, showing fans what to expect this season. He played in the defensive midfield pivot alongside Kobbie Mainoo but wasn’t restricted in any way as he got forward at every opportunity.

Mason Mount gave a good account of himself in his first game since joining from Chelsea

He was also keen to get the ball forward early and none more so than in the 10th minute when the ball was pinging around a congested midfield. Mount had the vision to see beyond the scrum of bodies and pinged an exquisite pass out to Amad Diallo on the right which led to United’s best chance of the first half.

Mount made another great opportunity for himself, dispossessing Jeremiah Mullen and floating a 40-yard chip just over the bar with goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson stranded.

That summed up the 24-year-old’s contribution: leading the defensive press but always looking to get on the front foot. Upending Luis Sinisterra with a tactical foul on the edge of the Leeds box one minute, pinging early balls forward from deep the next.

Mount also took all United’s set-pieces, a duty he is likely to share with Bruno Fernandes next season. That didn’t work out so well on this occasion, but it’s an understanding with his teammates that will hopefully develop through pre-season.

THE BUTCHER IS BACK

Who knows how United’s season would have turned out had Lisandro Martinez played to the end instead of missing the final 12 games with a fractured metatarsal.

Would they have succumbed to Sevilla in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final or lost to Manchester City in the FA Cup final? We’ll never know, but there was no doubting the Argentine World Cup winner’s contribution to United in his first season at Old Trafford.

Victor Lindelof filled in admirably towards the end of the campaign but Martinez was a huge loss and his return to action here in Oslo was a welcome sight for United fans.

The return to action of defender Lisandro Martinez after injury is a welcome sight for United

He played 45 minutes alongside Raphael Varane in central defence, but there really wasn’t too much threat from Leeds in the first half to worry United’s first-choice pairing.

Two moments of class were typical Martinez, though. When Klaesson pumped the ball forward and Georginio Rutter gave chase, United’s No.6 needed to get it just right under pressure with United keeper Tom Heaton already on the edge of his box. Martinez let the ball drop and brought it under control with one expert touch before knocking it back to Heaton.

Then when Leeds threatened to score against the run of play from a breakaway before half-time, Martinez read the situation perfectly and blocked Sinisterra’s cross before it caused any damage.

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SWEEPER KEEPER HEATON

Heaton didn’t have too much to do, but United’s No.2 goalkeeper channelled his inner Andre Onana by racing out of his goal inside the first four minutes to take the ball away from Rutter and give it safely to a teammate.

It was classic Onana, the man United want to replace David de Gea in goal who is known for coming out of his box with the ball at his feet.

United goalkeeper Tom Heaton channelled his inner Andre Onana early in the game

Talks between United and Inter Milan over Onana are believed to be at an advanced stage, with Ten Hag keen to be reunited with his former Ajax keeper.

But United have also extended Heaton’s contract and the veteran keeper didn’t put a foot wrong again, making a fairly routine save from Sam Greenwood shortly before half-time. Matej Kovar took over for the second half and also gave a good account of himself to keep a clean sheet.

LEADING QUESTION

The captaincy issue needs addressing before the start of the new season, but with Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire both absent from the United squad in Oslo, we are no nearer to knowing the answer.

Raphael Varane led out United at the Ullevaal Stadion but Fernandes would be the leading contender if Ten Hag decides to take the armband off Maguire next season.

Raphael Varane led United out against Leeds but it’s unclear who their regular captain will be

Maguire stayed as the official club captain last term even though he only played in a small number of games and Fernandes was skipper more often than not.

With Maguire facing an uncertain future at United and unlikely to be a regular starter even if he stays, Fernandes would be the obvious successor.

KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

Like most pre-season games, this occasion gave some of United’s youngsters the opportunity to shine. Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Hannibal Majbri all started the game and played the first 45 minutes.

Mainoo is a player who has the power and composure to play at the heart of midfield and United’s current Young Player of the Year was excellent throughout his time on the pitch. Amad was a real handful for Leo Hjelde on the right flank and created several opportunities.

Noah Emeran was on the scoresheet and was one of a number of United youngsters to impress

Mejbri was typically combative – picking up a booking – but his tenacity denied Ian Poveda an almost certain goal and set up a golden chance for Jadon Sancho, while he went closest to scoring before half-time.

But it was notable that United won the game with two second half goals from their weaker team in the second half with an average age of 19.7 years.

Isak Hanson threaded the ball through for Emeran to score in the 67th minute and then Hugill swept home in the 80th minute to give Ten Hag’s side a winning start to pre-season.

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