Mason Mount has insisted he already has a full understanding of how Erik ten Hag wants him to play after an impressive debut for Manchester United.
The midfielder recently completed a long-awaited £55m move to Old Trafford from Chelsea. So far, he is the only addition to Ten Hag's squad in this summer's transfer window, despite the Dutchman making it clear he believes further recruits are needed.
The Red Devils are already back in pre-season, playing their first friendly of the summer against recently relegated Leeds United. Mount played the first 45 minutes of the clash at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, which United went on to win 2-0.
The England international impressed, despite the game still being goalless when Mount was taken off by Ten Hag. And Mount has insisted that he is taking to the United boss' tactical plans like a duck to water.
“It felt great to be on the pitch. We have had that time in training and we have been working so hard, so it is great to show that in matches now. We have been working on a few different tactics," he said.
"The first week is all about fitness and getting work into the legs, but I have a big understanding now of how the manager wants to work and how the boys play. In the second half, the younger boys were amazing in the second half.
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"It is so exciting for the club to see them come on and make that impact. I really liked the role I was in today. Being able to drop in and build up the play from a bit deeper, but with that license to go forwards and make runs into the box and be involved in more attacks.
"I like to start off the press, to give the opposition something to think about and then to combine that with an attacking threat and rhythm of our own."
Goals from youngsters Noan Emeran and Joe Hugill ensured it was the perfect start to pre-season for United. And Ten Hag reserved special praise for star summer signing Mount after his debut.
“Mount? Yes, he was great. We all expected this from him. This was just his first game but he is going to contribute to our performance so much. We have seen some good things and good stuff," he told MUTV.
"We have already trained like this over the last year and you can see that foundation in our play. the young lads fit our play. We show them our rules and principles – they showed us that today.
“They come in and it is a big moment when you come up into the first-team squad. You deserve gametime – you work so hard for so many years then you get that opportunity, here. Two of those players have scored to win the game."
