When Mason Mount took the captain's armband during Manchester United's 5-0 pre-season win over Rosenborg, it was a symbol of something bigger: a player who had spent two injury-hit seasons at Old Trafford was finally being trusted as a leader and given a new midfield role that could transform Michael Carrick's side.
Mount, who joined United from Chelsea for £55m in 2023, has been deployed in a deeper central midfield partnership alongside summer signing Andrey Santos (bought from Chelsea for £50m). In United's first two pre-season games, against Wrexham and Rosenborg, the duo showed signs of forming a productive partnership. Santos sits deep, takes the ball off defenders, spots gaps and pressurises opponents. That allows Mount to push forward, use his ball-playing abilities, find space and move United up the pitch. “He's a little bit more defensive, so it allows me to push on a little bit more and work off him,” Mount said.
“Mason Mount's new deep midfield role at Manchester United could solve Carrick's midfield puzzle and save millions.”
This new role comes at a critical time for United's midfield. The club has already spent £83m this summer on Santos and Youri Tielemans (from Aston Villa), but Manuel Ugarte is ruled out for months with a knee injury and Casemiro left when his contract expired at the end of June. There has been expectation that United will add a third midfielder, with Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Tyler Adams mentioned, as well as persistent speculation around Roma's Manu Kone and Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni. However, Tchouameni's likely salary and transfer fee contradict United's aim of keeping control of budgets, especially as they also need a left-sided player and a forward to complement Benjamin Sesko, who is recovering from a shin problem.
For UK readers, especially Manchester United fans, Mount's emergence as a central midfielder could save the club from another big-money signing and solve a long-standing puzzle. Mount has mostly played as an attacking midfielder, but his ability to play in central midfield was cited as one of the attractions when he joined. Now, under Carrick, he is being given the chance to make that position his own. “It's a position I've played for many years from a young age. It's a position that I love, and I see myself in,” Mount said. The 27-year-old also embraced his leadership role, saying: “You have different types of leaders. You have ones that are very vocal, but I see myself as one who leads by example and never stops working… Especially with a lot of younger players on the pitch… it's something I really like.”
Q: Why has Mason Mount been given a new midfield role at Manchester United? Mount has been moved into a deeper central midfield role alongside Andrey Santos because United have midfield injuries (Manuel Ugarte out for months, Casemiro departed) and the club wants to avoid overspending on another midfielder. The partnership allows Santos to defend and Mount to push forward.
Q: How did Mason Mount perform in his new role during pre-season? In United's first two pre-season games (5-0 wins over Wrexham and Rosenborg), Mount and Santos showed promising chemistry. Santos sat deep, while Mount used his ball skills to move United up the pitch. Mount also captained the side for a spell against Rosenborg.
Q: Will Manchester United still sign another midfielder? It's possible. United have been linked with Bournemouth's Alex Scott, Tyler Adams, Roma's Manu Kone, and Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni. However, budget constraints and the need for other positions (left-sided player, forward) may mean Carrick sticks with Mount and Santos if the partnership continues to work.
What happens next: United's pre-season continues with friendlies against Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds United, and AC Milan. Their competitive campaign starts away to newly-promoted Hull City. If Mount and Santos maintain their form, Carrick may decide the midfield jigsaw is complete without another expensive signing.
