PSG 1 Man Utd 1: United’s midfield in state of alarm and club must act in transfer market after Mason Mount injury scare

DEFENSIVE LAPSES and a void in midfield. Perhaps Manchester United will now dip their hands back into their pockets. Of more consequence than their draw with Paris Saint Germain in Gothenburg was another injury to Mason Mount, removed after 20 minutes. Man United earned a 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain, but it came at a cost Credit: Manchester United via Getty Imag PSG scored early in the second minute of the game through Liverpool target Ibrahim Mbaye Credit: Getty Images Bryan Mbeumo starred for Manchester United against PSG Credit: Getty Images United fought back for a draw against an under-strength PSG team Credit: Manchester United via Getty Imag Mount had shown promise in his competitive and non-competitive starts in central midfield under Michael Carrick. The trouble is Mount can never stay fit for long enough. The 27-year-old jogged off, watched Bryan Mbeumo swipe the ball at goal and was in dialogue with three members of the United medical staff. Then Mount turned and headed towards the tunnel. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! Mount was moving relatively freely and had got on the ball while Tyler Fletcher waited to replace him. Perhaps the withdrawal was precautionary. But United’s corner-cutting measures in midfield cannot continue. Despite the attempted rebrand, Mount is not an out-and-out central midfielder. He has managed 72 games in three years, an average of 24 per season. Youri Tielemans emerged for his maiden United appearance but their midfield remains in an alarming state with no available defensive midfielder. United are already asking too much of the raw Andrey Santos. Kobbie Mainoo will at least be back in the fold for the Dublin training camp that begins on Sunday. Tielemans’ nous will help, as he demonstrated with a canny through ball that Bruno Fernandes fluffed. As admirable and overdue as United’s sensible spending is, they are leaving it late with three more key players needed and the window open for three more weeks. In the current market, sizeable sums have to be paid for quality reinforcements and United are reluctant to fork out top dollar. It should not take a Mount injury to spur them into action. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Mbeumo equalised for United in the 32nd minute Credit: Manchester United via Getty Imag Mason Mount spoke to Man Utd medical staff after being forced off injured The midfielder then made his way down the tunnel Then there is the questionable preparation in defence. United’s and PSG’s starting XIs were far from full strength but the gulf in class was evident in the second minute. United were undone by one pass from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia down their right-hand side and 18-year-olds Dro Fernandez and Liverpool transfer target Ibrahim Mbaye combined for the latter to score. Carrick had seemed to be gearing up for the start of the season with the right-footed-left-footed combination of Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven. Both were found wanting for Mbaye’s tap-in. For the second game running, Maguire was off the pace. Heaven, often at the scene of the crime, was ball-watching. Leny Yoro started at right back in the first three friendlies but was dropped as Carrick favoured the seniority of Maguire, captain throughout pre-season, and the returning Noussair Mazraoui. Yoro’s arrival at United pre-dates Heaven’s by seven months. Heaven’s defensive lapse was compounded by an errant pass, a reckless foul on Kvaratskhelia and a booking. At 19, such mistakes are inevitable from a centre half. Carrick would be wise to depend on Yoro’s vast experience. Tellingly, Carrick hooked Heaven and introduced Yoro at the interval. Mazraoui was replaced by Diogo Dalot at the same time as competition was introduced at right back and centre back. Ayden Heaven was lucky not to receive a red card during the match Credit: Manchester United via Getty Imag Youri Tielemans made his Man United debut coming off from the bench Credit: Manchester United via Getty Imag The defensive disarray extended to the goalkeeper. The injured Tom Heaton was replaced by the 24-year-old Dermot Mee, effectively a training ‘keeper whose only career appearances were for Altrincham in the National League four years ago. United’s first, second and third-choice goalies are now either injured or unwell. There was also the familiar sight of Luke Shaw nursing an injury after a late challenge. United’s rotation almost descended into farce as, with a final batch of substitutes waiting to come on, left back Harry Amass was only summoned at the last-minute. United’s coaching staff turned to Acacio Valentim, the first team operations manager, who appeared to clarify they had a third and final window to make changes. Shaw took his seat in the dugout. Lewis Hall does not need to start house-hunting in Cheshire just yet. At the other end, United could do with a new centre forward yet Mbeumo reminded everyone why they may end the window without one. The Cameroonian’s rifled hit marked his eighth goal under Carrick (including friendlies) and all of them have come as a striker. Mbeumo also tested Matvei Safónov with a couple of whipped free kicks and a piledriver. Carrick had Joshua Zirkzee’s number long before pre-season began. The Dutchman was benched for the second week running as United have the senior forwards to support Mbeumo through the middle. Benjamin Sesko, still recovering from a shin injury, Matheus Cunha, absent through illness, Benjamin Sesko and even Marcus Rashford could be thrown into the mix. They are not as well off in midfield, though. Comment now