Mason Mount could be handed a new role at Manchester United if he impresses during pre-season, with the club having knocked back enquiries for the midfielder this summer. Now 27 and three years into his Old Trafford career following a £60million move from Chelsea, Mount has yet to deliver the expected impact, managing only 72 appearances and 25 Premier League starts across three injury-hit seasons.
Pre-Season Opportunity
United begin their pre-season campaign in Helsinki this weekend, where Mount could feature alongside new £50million signing Andrey Santos, another former Chelsea midfielder. With several first-teamers away at the World Cup and no other senior midfielders currently back, Mount has a chance to stake his claim under new manager Michael Carrick. Santos, 22, has time on his side with a five-year contract, but Mount does not—he has two years left on his deal and faces stiff competition.
Kobbie Mainoo will return from North America after being snubbed throughout the World Cup by Thomas Tuchel, while Youri Tielemans has joined from Aston Villa in a £35million deal. Another midfielder is expected before the transfer window closes, intensifying the battle for places.
Potential Deeper Midfield Role
Mount's best spell at United came as a No.10 in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1, but he has been linked with AC Milan since Amorim's appointment. United have rejected tentative enquiries and insist he is not for sale. Under Carrick, Mount earned a couple of starts late last season in a deeper midfield role, and his pre-season auditions could come there. If so, it may signal that Carrick sees that as his position for the upcoming campaign.
Carrick has called himself "a big fan" of Mount, praising his "attitude and personality" and lauding his performance in midfield in the final-day win at Brighton. Mount missed 70 games across three seasons due to various injuries but insisted towards the end of the season that those problems are now behind him.
Need for a Big Summer
Mount's absence from England's World Cup squad underscores how far he has fallen from national team contention, despite Tuchel being a fan. Most coaches appreciate Mount's ability to knit a team together and improve those around him, but he has not consistently shown that level at United. When the deal was done, then director of football John Murtough called Mount a "world-class player," but that tag has yet to be justified.
A full pre-season should have Mount ready to hit the ground running in August, with United back in the Champions League providing ample fixtures. However, to become more than a squad player or rotation option, he needs a big couple of months. If Mount takes his chance, he could secure a more prominent role under Carrick and revive his Old Trafford career.
