Mason Mount and Andrey Santos are beginning to look like the answer to Manchester United's midfield conundrum — a partnership forged in pre-season that could save Michael Carrick from another expensive signing.
The pair have been outstanding in United's opening two pre-season games, against Wrexham in Helsinki and Rosenborg in Trondheim, where Mount took the captain's armband for a spell. The 27-year-old, who joined from Chelsea for £55m in 2023, has found a natural foil in Santos, the £83m arrival from Chelsea this summer.
“Mount and Santos impress in pre-season, offering midfield solution for Man Utd.”
"I've known Andre for a while," Mount said. "I've watched him from afar, since he broke into the first team at Chelsea. He's a really good player and reads the game very well. He's a little bit more defensive, so it allows me to push on a little bit more and work off him."
United's midfield has been the topic of intense discussion all summer. The club has already spent £83m to sign Santos and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, but with Manuel Ugarte ruled out for months with a knee injury and Casemiro leaving when his contract expired at the end of June, there has been expectation that a third midfielder will be added to Carrick's squad.
Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Tyler Adams have both been mentioned, while there has been persistent speculation around Roma's Manu Kone. Real Madrid are willing to discuss Aurelien Tchouameni's situation amid claims they want to sign World Cup winner Rodri from Manchester City — yet Tchouameni's likely salary and potential transfer fee directly contradict United's aim of keeping control of budgets at a time when they are also looking for a left-sided player and a forward to complement Benjamin Sesko, who is recovering from a shin problem.
On the evidence of the opening two games, Carrick might have another solution closer to home. Santos is happy sitting deep, taking the ball off defenders, spotting gaps in passing lanes and pressurising opponents. That allows Mount — who won the last of his 36 England caps four years ago — to use his undoubted abilities on the ball, find space, and move United up the pitch. Mount is also not scared to make a tackle.
"Defensively as well, we're both players that want to get around it, put tackles in, win the ball back and be aggressive," Mount added. "I've really enjoyed it. It's a position I've played for…"
Whether the partnership can replicate that form in the Premier League remains to be seen, but for now, United's midfield jigsaw may already have its final piece.