Manchester United‘s midfield has been a significant area of discussion throughout the summer. The club has already invested heavily, spending £83m to acquire Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. With Manuel Ugarte sidelined due to a knee injury and Casemiro‘s contract expiring in June, there has been an expectation that United would seek a third midfielder for Michael Carrick‘s squad.
Various players have been mentioned as potential targets, including Bournemouth‘s Alex Scott and Tyler Adams, alongside persistent speculation regarding Roma‘s Manu Kone. Additionally, Real Madrid is reportedly open to discussing Aurelien Tchouameni‘s future, amidst claims they are interested in signing World Cup winner Rodri from Manchester City. However, Tchouameni’s potential salary and transfer fee might conflict with United’s aim to manage budgets, especially as they also seek a left-sided player and a forward to complement Benjamin Sesko, who is recovering from a shin issue.
Mount’s Impact in Pre-Season
Early indications from United’s initial two pre-season matches suggest that Carrick might have an internal solution. Mason Mount, who joined United from Chelsea for £55m in 2023, has shown promise in a central midfield role. While his first two seasons at Old Trafford were affected by injuries, the 27-year-old made a consistent impact last term.
In pre-season games against Wrexham in Helsinki and Rosenborg in Trondheim, there are signs that Mount and Santos could form an effective partnership. Santos has demonstrated an ability to play deep, retrieve the ball, identify passing lanes, and press opponents. This allows Mount, who has 36 England caps, to utilise his on-ball skills, find space, and advance United up the pitch. Mount has also shown a willingness to tackle.
Mount commented on his partnership with Santos, stating, “I’ve known Andre for a while. I’ve watched him from afar, since he broke into the first team at Chelsea. He’s a really good player and reads the game very well. He’s a little bit more defensive, so it allows me to push on a little bit more and work off him. Defensively as well, we’re both players that want to get around it, put tackles in, win the ball back and be aggressive.”
Despite not being a veteran, Mount has embraced his responsibilities as a senior professional during the pre-season. He has engaged with younger players, notably spending time with Shea Lacey before the Rosenborg match, where Lacey scored the opener in a 5-0 victory. Mount, whose contract extends to 2028, spoke in April about the upcoming campaign, which includes a return to the Champions League.
Carrick demonstrated his confidence in Mount by making him captain for a period in the second half of the match in Norway, following Harry Maguire‘s substitution. Mount reflected on leadership, saying, “You have different types of leaders. You have ones that are very vocal, but I see myself as one who leads by example and never stops working. I’ve been captain previously, years ago, so I love the role. Especially with a lot of younger players on the pitch, and off it as well, being able to speak to them and make them feel comfortable, it’s something I really like.”
Midfield Options and Future Outlook
United secured an impressive 5-0 victory against Rosenborg in pre-season. Mount’s performance in Trondheim, playing an hour, included notable defensive contributions. He intercepted a pass early in the game to initiate a break and later cut out a low cross inside his own area.
For the second consecutive game, Mount partnered Santos in midfield. They combined effectively, with Santos setting up Patrick Dorgu for a shot after Mount quickly took a free-kick and delivered a crossfield ball. Mount’s pressing was also highlighted as impressive for this stage of pre-season. He has also been a supporter of the academy, welcoming younger players into the first-team setup.
The transfer window remains open for over five weeks, and United are expected to continue being linked with significant signings. However, Mount’s recent performances are presenting a strong case that the club may already possess the necessary midfield talent within its current squad.
Source: bbc.com
