This prospective next Manchester United boss has the capacity to bring out the best in Mason Mount again.
Even if Manchester United defeated Burnley 1-0 in the Premier League, Erik ten Hag would still be under pressure.
The Clarets’ 1-1 draw at Old Trafford thanks to a last-gasp penalty kick adds fuel to the fire for those who want the Dutchman to be freed of his responsibilities at the conclusion of the season, with a slew of names lined up to replace the ex-Ajax manager.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the powers that be at the Theatre of Dreams might take a different approach to guide Manchester United into a possibly more prosperous new age.
Even though Ten Hag is still holding onto his position for the time being, the gossip mill at Old Trafford has gone into overdrive, speculating on who may ultimately succeed the unpopular 54-year-old.
According to TEAMtalk, current Borussia Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic is said to be in the race to replace the Dutchman, while Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is also being talked about to take over when the season is finished.
However, England manager Gareth Southgate has emerged as the new ‘favourite’, according to the Guardian.
Who would profit from Southgate’s appointment?
This is a move that ex-Chelsea player Mason Mount will undoubtedly embrace, having previously thrived on the international stage under the former Middlesbrough manager’s careful eye.
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw wouldn’t object to the 53-year-old going through the door, as Southgate may leave England behind to return to the fire line of club football.
Southgate gave Mount his senior England debut in 2019, when the then-20-year-old offensive midfielder had the world at his feet after bursting onto the scene at Chelsea.
Now 25, he has 36 caps for his country, scoring five goals and assisting five times, before being ruled out of the England squad as his Blues career stalled and a controversial transfer to Manchester United took place.
Mount will be looking to reclaim his Chelsea form at Old Trafford, having made just 13 Premier League appearances this season under Ten Hag due to reoccurring injury difficulties.
Southgate might be the manager Mount wants to wrap his arm around to get more out of the overlooked number seven, who has shown well in spurts this season when healthy.
Mount scored a goal against Brentford in March despite barely being on the play for 10 minutes, breaking his Red Devils drought.
Mount, who was deployed down the left flank during this impactful cameo off the bench, would benefit from a prolonged run in the United XI in a more central position, which Southgate might provide based on his liking for where he inserts the 25-year-old into previous England squads.
The current Three Lions manager, who was recently complimented as “amazing” by Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham, has only played Mount on the sides twice in 36 appearances, with all of his goals coming from a more central position.
| Southgate’s managerial record by club | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Games managed | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| England | 93 | 59 | 18 | 16 |
| England U21s | 33 | 27 | 3 | 3 |
| Middlesbrough | 151 | 47 | 41 | 63 |
| Sourced by Transfermarkt | ||||
It would be a huge risk to appoint Southgate based on his previous managerial record at Middlesbrough (as shown in the table above), but the appointment could work wonders for the English personnel already at the Theatre of Dreams, who will want to run through brick walls for the 53-year-old at club level if he is deemed the best fit after ten Hag.
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