MANCHESTER UNITED has rejected transfer approaches for Mason Mount, as Michael Carrick is resolved to retain him.
His displays in the pre-season may pose a dilemma for Ineos executives as the transfer window nears its close.
Since his £60million transfer in 2023, the former Chelsea star’s time at United has been marred by injuries.
Entering his fourth season at Old Trafford, this season is perhaps the most crucial as he seeks to secure a role in Carrick’s revamped midfield.
Following the departures of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte due to injury, United has invested £83m in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, while discussions about securing a third midfielder continue.
Nevertheless, Ineos is not dismissing the chance of closing the transfer window without any new midfield additions, as there currently aren’t any prominent candidates on the radar.
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Insiders at United believe that Mount is showcasing glimpses of the brilliance that made him a pivotal figure for Chelsea in their 2021 Champions League victory.
However, this sentiment has been expressed before.
Mount shone during pre-season under Ruben Amorim, who held him in high regard, but an injury against Burnley in just the season’s fourth match kept him sidelined.
Last season, he completed 90 minutes in just three games, and it wasn’t until the second to last match against Sunderland that he started under Carrick.
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Despite this, Mount has been instrumental for United this summer, once again shining in their recent 2-1 friendly triumph over Atletico Madrid in Sweden.
He has lined up in a deeper midfield role alongside £48m signing Santos for the third time this pre-season.
While Mount usually plays further upfield, Carrick intends to deploy him as a No8.
This puts him in direct competition with Kobbie Mainoo and new recruit Tielemans for a starting slot.
Ten Hag had envisioned Mount as United’s No8 prior to injuries disrupting his campaign.
Interestingly, Mount was trained as a box-to-box midfielder during his youth at Cobham before Thomas Tuchel shifted him into the inverted No10 role featured in the 2021 Euros final.
An insider from United believes that Mount’s adaptability will significantly boost his chances this season.
He possesses a commendable work ethic, composure, passing ability to penetrate defenses, effective tackling, and a keen eye for goal.
United seems to be making efforts to showcase Mount, who captained the team in the second half against Rosenborg last week and engaged with the media afterward.
The key question remains whether he can maintain his health long enough to exhibit the talent that drew interest from Liverpool and Arsenal in 2023.
This presents Carrick with a delightful selection dilemma.
Mount’s resurgence in a deeper role places him directly against Mainoo and Tielemans for a starting position.
New £35m signing and Belgium captain Tielemans is anticipated to feature in United’s upcoming friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg next weekend.
It will be intriguing to witness how versatile Tielemans is utilized against the European champions and what this means for Mount. Academy forward Shea Lacey, 19, has excelled as a No10 in the recent two friendlies.
At 29, Tielemans has been an outstanding player for Aston Villa, and United should have pursued him when he was a free agent in 2023 — the same summer Mount joined.
The return of United to the Champions League means a hectic schedule, and Mount resumes his £250,000-a-week salary, which may be deemed excessive for a squad player.
With the Portsmouth native contracted to Old Trafford until 2028, next summer could represent United’s last chance to recoup a transfer fee should they choose to part ways.
Mount and the defensively inclined Santos, 22, have captured attention during a quiet pre-season.
However, these former Chelsea teammates, signed for a combined £110m, could soon find themselves behind Tielemans and Mainoo in the midfield hierarchy.
Considering Mount’s injury history, forgoing the acquisition of another midfielder could be a significant risk, and United still requires a player capable of covering considerable ground.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Manu Kone are among the potential targets being evaluated, while Carlos Baleba has yet to receive strong internal support.
The last World Cup participants in Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Mainoo, and even Marcus Rashford are set to return in the coming week.
Ineos is considering pursuing Newcastle’s Lewis Hall as part of their search for a left-sided option and a forward to support Benjamin Sesko, who is currently recovering from a shin injury.
