Gary Neville has publicly lambasted Manchester United’s tactical deployment of Mason Mount, questioning the logic of using him as a left wing-back. The former United defender, speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, called the move “ridiculous” and said it undermines the player and the team.
“You CANNOT put Mason Mount at left wing-back. I’m sorry, it just can’t happen,” Neville declared. “I struggled at times to watch him in his natural position, but actually putting him out there on the left wing is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.”
Mount, normally deployed in midfield or attacking roles, was shifted to a wing-back role during United’s recent match against Brentford. That change drew Neville’s ire, who said it made him uncomfortable as a spectator and baffled in terms of tactical sense.
Neville went further, criticizing what he sees as broader issues under United’s manager, Ruben Amorim. He accused Amorim of “flip-flopping” with his ideas, changing defensive setups too frequently, and applying experiments to players in positions they cannot perform optimally.
The stakes are high. United’s results have not been consistent, and mounting scrutiny over formation and personnel choices means mounting pressure. Neville warned that pushing Mount into a role that doesn’t suit him doesn’t just affect one player — it signals a lack of clarity in the entire system.
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For Mount, it is yet another test in a red shirt punctured by expectations. His technical skill and vision are recognized, but the attempt to turn him into a wing-back risks diluting his strengths and imposing needless strain on his adaptability.
Neville’s criticism carries weight — not just because of his legacy, but because it reflects deeper conversations among fans and analysts about how United deploys talent. If the coaching team continues with such experiments, they may find the club’s patience and faith stretched thin — and Mount’s performance under ever-shifting roles may come under even sharper scrutiny.
