Man Utd may have unearthed the elusive third new central midfielder and he won’t cost Michael Carrick a penny

MANCHESTER UNITED knocked down transfer enquiries for Mason Mount with Michael Carrick determined to keep him. And his pre-season performances could present a conundrum for Ineos chiefs in the final month of the window. Mason Mount has been a standout performer in United’s opening pre-season matches Credit: Getty The real test is whether he can stay available long enough to demonstrate his qualities Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Former Chelsea star Mount’s United career has been wrecked by persistent injuries since he joined for £60million in 2023. He is now entering his fourth season at Old Trafford and arguably his most pivotal as he tries to stake a claim in Carrick’s new-look midfield. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! United have spent £83m on Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans following Casemiro’s exit and Manuel Ugarte’s knee-ligament surgery, with a third midfielder long mooted. But Ineos have not ruled out ending the window without a third midfielder and there is no clear frontrunner in the club’s shortlist. United sources feel Mount is showing flashes of his former self — the player who was instrumental in Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League triumph. Yet, we’ve heard this story before. Mount impressed during pre-season under Ruben Amorim, who held him in high regard, only to limp off injured against Burnley in just the fourth match of the campaign. He went on to play 90 minutes on three occasions last season, failing to start under Carrick until the penultimate game of the season against Sunderland. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK One United insider believes Mount’s versatility will significantly boost his prospects this season Credit: Getty But Mount has been one of United’s standout performers this summer and was again the best player on the pitch in United’s 2-1 friendly win over Atletico Madrid in Sweden on Saturday. He was again deployed in a deeper midfield role alongside £48m signing Santos for the third time this pre-season. While Mount has spent the majority of his career playing further forward, either off the right or as a No10, Carrick is primed to use him as a No8. That means directly competing with Kobbie Mainoo and fellow new man Tielemans. Ten Hag had plans for Mount to play as United’s No8 before persistent injuries stalled his career. Unbeknownst to some, Mount was developed as a box-to-box midfielder during his Cobham youth career before Thomas Tuchel made him the inverted No10 who started the Euros final in 2021. One United insider believes Mount’s versatility will significantly boost his prospects this season. He combines work rate and composure with line-breaking passing, strong tackling and a natural eye for goal. United also appear to be making an effort to promote Mount, who captained the side in the second half against Rosenborg last week and spoke to the media afterwards. Mason Mount was once one of England’s most important players Credit: PA The real test is whether he can stay available long enough to demonstrate the qualities that made both Liverpool and Arsenal interested in 2023. Carrick faces a welcome selection headache. Mount’s resurgence in a deeper role puts him in direct competition with Mainoo and Tielemans for a starting spot. New £35m signing and Belgium captain Tielemans is set to be involved in United’s next friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg next weekend. It will be interesting to see how all-rounder Tielemans is used against the European champs and what that means for Mount. Academy forward Shea Lacey, 19, has stood out at No10 in the last two friendlies. Tielemans, 29, has been a class act at Aston Villa and United should have moved for him when he was a free agent in 2023 – the summer Mount joined. United’s return to the Champions League brings a heavier fixture list — and sees Mount restored to his full £250,000-a-week salary, perhaps too much for a squad player. With the Portsmouth native bound to Old Trafford until 2028, next summer marks United’s last chance to recoup a fee should they choose to part ways. Mount and more defensively minded Santos, 22, have drawn headlines in a quiet pre-season. But the ex-Chelsea pair, who arrived for a combined £110m, could soon be behind Tielemans and Mainoo in the midfield pecking order. Given Mount’s injury record, it would be a huge risk not to recruit another midfielder and United still need a player who can cover distance. Aurelien Tchouameni and Manu Kone have been linked, while Carlos Baleba has yet to fully convince everyone behind the scenes, lacking unanimous internal backing. The final World Cup players in Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Mainoo and even Marcus Rashford are due back over the next week. Ineos are weighing up a move for Newcastle’s Lewis Hall in their search for a left-sided player and a forward to support Benjamin Sesko, who is recovering from a shin problem. Comment now