Mason Mount's latest injury setback forced Manchester United to pivot in the transfer market and pursue a new midfielder. The Red Devils entered the summer market in dire need of midfield recruits following Casemiro's exit.
United bosses acted quickly with a £50m deal for ex-Chelsea man Andrey Santos, as well as a £35m move for Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans. It appears that they are not quite done there though, with a deal reportedly close for Brighton's Carlos Baleba.
Mount's injury triggers renewed midfield pursuit
While the Cameroonian midfielder is a long-term target - the club having also eyed him last summer - they might not have made a move for him had it not been for an injury to Mount. According to The Athletic, the former Chelsea man had impressed in pre-season and had convinced some behind-the-scenes that he could be the candidate to occupy the deeper midfield role.
That decision had caused some at United to debate whether signing a new left-back should in fact be their top priority - with the likes of Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly linked, albeit that deal is now unlikely.
Mount, however, picked up a hamstring injury against Paris Saint-Germain, with scans revealing a minor issue. While that injury alone was not enough for United to completely change tact, it was a useful reminder of his injury issues, which triggered a renewal of the club's attempts to sign a new midfielder.
United target versatile options before settling on Baleba
United initially attempted to look at players who could play both in midfield and at left back, hence the links to Lewis-Skelly, while Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga had been mentioned. But Baleba is now the man they are pursuing.
Asked about a deal, United boss Carrick said: "I just think we are looking to strengthen the squad. We are certainly working towards that, and making the most of the situation that we have and trying to improve things, trying to move forward.
"I said the same thing to you last time, so certainly trying to make the most of the opportunities to finish the window stronger than when we went into it. I think we're in a good way to doing that."
Carrick provides Mount fitness update
The former midfielder also gave an update on Mount and his injury issues. He added: "Managing Mason [Mount] a little bit, but he is very close, so it is touch and go for the weekend really and going into next week.
"First of all, Mason is a top player. We have seen that so far. Pre-season, he was one of our best players in the early stages in the games that he played. I thought he was fantastic, not surprising what I have seen before, what I expect and what I know of him.
"He has picked up a bit of a knock, there are no dramas. It is nothing major. Of course, he has missed some football over recent years, and he wants to be fit and wants to be in that full rhythm and wants stay fit, so we're doing our best to help him do that, but he is a top player, Mason.
"The same as recovery, we have got to manage the squad, there are going to be injuries through the season, and we have to have a squad that is strong enough to have a really good top starting team with depth to carry us through the season. Mason will be back very, very soon. If not immediately."
