Mason Mount backs Andrey Santos to step into Casemiro’s shoes as Man Utd rethink transfer plans

MASON MOUNT has taken Andrey Santos under his wing at Manchester United, raving about how quickly his fellow ex-Chelsea star has hit the ground running. Mount joined forces with £48m newcomer Santos in a deeper pivot for the second time in six days, pulling the strings in a five-goal Rosenborg thrashing. Mason Mount put in a strong 60 minute showing against Rosenborg Credit: Getty Andrey Santos joined United for £48m this month Credit: Getty Afterwards, the former Chelsea captain backed Santos, 22, to fill the void left by Casemiro following the Brazilian veteran’s exit at the end of his contract. Mount has endured an up and down time at Old Trafford amid injuries, but he believes Santos can flourish as they look to solve the Casemiro void and cover Manuel Ugarte‘s injury. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! Mount, 27, said: “Andrey is a really good player. He reads the game brilliantly. “I know he’s young, but he’s very experienced in going out on loan and playing in the Premier League as well. “We’re both players that want to get around it, want to put tackles in and win the ball back and be aggressive. “I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s a position that I love and that I see myself in.” Santos has been United’s No6 in the first two pre-season games, and while he can clearly play in the position, he lacks ‘marquee’ experience after 13 Prem starts last season. Meanwhile, Mount made his name higher up the pitch, ex-midfielder Carrick is reimagining him as a fluid No8—reviving the tactical blueprint Erik ten Hag saw wrecked by injury hell. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Several United stars put in strong performances in Michael Carrick’s side’s 5-0 riot in Norway Credit: Getty The pair are throwing down the gauntlet for the opening-day clash against Hull, leaving United’s returning World Cup players with competition. Mount added: “Defensively we’re both players that want to get around it, want to put tackles in and win the ball back and be aggressive. “I’ve known Andrey for a while. I’ve watched him from afar, since he’s broken into the first team at Chelsea.” The pair were technically Blues teammates for six months in early 2023, though Santos was immediately sent back to Vasco da Gama on loan before Mount sealed his £60m summer move to Old Trafford. United have not ruled out ending the transfer window without a third midfielder and there is no clear frontrunner in the club’s midfield shortlist. Instead, Ineos are on the look out for a left-sided player and a forward to compliment Benjamin Sesko, who is recovering from a shin problem. After dropping £85m on Santos and Tielemans, dropping a fortune on a third midfielder would be a massive shock. United sources admit they would have to sell players first to fund a £68m swoop for Real Madrid powerhouse Aurelien Tchouameni. The big question now is whether Mount can stay injury-free and hold his ground in a newly flexible midfield. Together with Santos, summer arrival Youri Tielemans, and Kobbie Mainoo, United suddenly boast a versatile quartet capable of operating across both the No6 and No8 roles. The ex-England midfielder has started just 25 Prem games since his £60m switch from Chelsea three years ago. Mount sees himself as a “leader” after wearing the United armband for the first time in the opening 15 minutes of the second half after Harry Maguire was subbed out. He said: “I’m definitely one, but you have different types of leaders. You have ones that are very vocal. “I want to always see myself as one that leads by example and never stops working on the pitch. I’ve been captain previously so I love the role. “Especially with a lot of younger players on the pitch, being able to speak to them and make them feel comfortable in the game and even off the pitch as well. “It’s a role that I really like and I loved having it (the armband) in the second half.” Mount made a beeline for 19-year-old Shea Lacey after he scored a silky opener in Norway. Mount received his first senior England call up aged 19, when he was on loan under Frank Lampard Derby County. The last of his 36 caps came at Qatar 2022. The Portsmouth-born player, under contract until 2028, was once one of the best midfielders in England before injuries savaged his momentum. But Mount claims he is feeling fitter than ever before the start of a more hectic season schedule. He said: “I feel brilliant. I feel really, really good. I finished the season well. At the end of last season, playing a few games and being involved. “Building on that momentum at the end of last season. It’s been a good break, but I was ready and raring to get back and get training again. Getting back into the flow of it. “Building up over these last couple of weeks. I feel really good. I feel strong and ready to go. I know we’ve got a few more games left and a few more weeks to really work at stuff.” Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga - all the info Anthony Joshua faces Kristian Prenga in his huge comeback fight Comment now