Mount in Midfield: Is United’s Answer Already at Old Trafford?

Manchester United have already signed Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, yet the search for another midfielder keeps rumbling on.

Carlos Baleba, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adam Wharton, Eduardo Camavinga and several others have been linked. All would cost serious money, while some may not be available at all.

Meanwhile, Mason Mount has spent pre-season playing centrally, looked comfortable alongside Santos and finally appears to have a clear route into Michael Carrick’s side.

Could the midfielder United are still searching for already be at Old Trafford?

Mount Is Back in the Picture

Mount’s United career has never properly got going.

He arrived from Chelsea in 2023, took the number seven shirt and was expected to become an important part of Erik ten Hag’s midfield. Injuries instead turned his first three seasons into a string of comebacks and brief runs in the team.

Mount has made 72 appearances for United, but only 25 Premier League starts. Last season brought three goals and one assist from 25 appearances in all competitions.

There were still encouraging signs towards the end of the campaign. He played deeper during the 3-0 win at Brighton and has continued in central midfield during pre-season.

Carrick clearly values his pressing, discipline and movement. Playing as an eight also gives Mount a more realistic route into the team than directly competing with Bruno Fernandes.

Bruno has just broken the Premier League assist record. United’s first-choice midfield will be built around him. The question is which two players best support him.

Remember How Good He Was?

It is easy to forget how highly Mount was rated before his move to United.

He won Chelsea’s Player of the Year award twice, helped them win the Champions League and supplied the pass for Kai Havertz’s winner in the final.

His best league season came in 2021/22, when he scored 11 goals and registered 10 assists.

Mount’s game was built around intelligent pressing, quick combinations and well-timed runs into the box. He could play as a number ten, a narrow forward or an attacking midfielder in a three.

United have seen flashes of that player. His body has rarely allowed him to build any momentum.

How He Fits With United’s Other Midfielders

Carrick now has several different midfield options.

Tielemans is the best passer of the deeper midfielders. He can control the tempo, receive from the defence and find United’s forwards early.

Santos adds defensive strength, energy and the ability to cover ground. Mainoo offers composure, ball-carrying and the confidence to receive under pressure.

Mount brings something different.

He presses higher, makes runs beyond the ball and can turn a midfield three into an attacking four when United have possession. He also covers Bruno’s position and can play from the right when Carrick wants another midfielder rather than a conventional winger.

Alongside Santos, Mount would have greater freedom to push forward. Next to Tielemans, his running could help balance the Belgian’s lack of pace. With Mainoo, United would have two mobile midfielders capable of linking quickly with Bruno and the forwards.

Tielemans and Santos may look like the most balanced partnership on paper, but Mount and Mainoo will both get plenty of football. United are back in the Champions League and Carrick will need different combinations for different opponents.

Mount does not need to become an automatic starter to make a big difference. Being fit enough to start regularly, cover several roles and give Carrick another genuine option would already be a major improvement.

The Alternatives Won’t Come Cheap

Baleba probably offers the physical profile United still lack.

He is quick, powerful and capable of recovering when the midfield becomes stretched. The problem is that Brighton have little reason to sell cheaply, and any deal is likely to require a huge fee.

Tchouaméni would be the cleanest Casemiro replacement. He is a genuine defensive midfielder with experience at the highest level, although convincing Real Madrid to sell him would be difficult and expensive.

Wharton would improve United’s passing from deep, but Crystal Palace reportedly value him at around £100 million. Camavinga is another excellent option who appears happy in Madrid.

United should move if one of their leading targets becomes genuinely available. They should not spend heavily on a third or fourth choice simply to complete the shopping list.

A fit Mount could give the club enough breathing room to wait.

Availability: Mason’s biggest issue

Mount’s ability has never been the main concern.

His availability has.

He missed 31 matches during his first United season, another 30 in his second and nine last term. United cannot assume those problems have disappeared because he has completed the opening weeks of pre-season.

His game also demands a lot physically. Pressing, covering ground and repeatedly running beyond the ball all require him to be completely fit.

Mount is not a holding midfielder either; he cannot sit alone in front of the defence and provide everything Casemiro once did. His best work comes when he can move towards the ball, press aggressively and support the attack.

Carrick can find a role that suits him. He cannot ask Mount to become a different player.

So, Is Mount the Answer?

Mount may be the answer to whether United need to force through another midfield signing this summer.

Tielemans adds control and passing range. Santos brings athleticism and ball-winning. Mainoo offers carrying and composure. Bruno remains the creative centre of the team.

Mount adds pressing, movement and versatility.

An elite defensive midfielder would still improve the squad. Baleba or Tchouaméni would give United qualities none of the current options fully provide.

Mount should not end that search permanently. He may allow United to wait for the right player rather than overpaying for the wrong one.

At 27, there is still time for his United career to become far more than a list of injuries and attempted comebacks.

The talent has never disappeared – United just need him to stay on the pitch long enough to show it.