Man Utd: Could Mason Mount be the final piece of the midfield puzzle?

When Mount, who has played as an attacking midfielder for most of his career, joined United from Chelsea for £55m in 2023, his ability to play in central midfield was cited as one of his attractions.

Although much of his first two seasons at Old Trafford was spent with injuries, the 27-year-old managed to make a consistent impact last term.

Although it is still early days in this pre-season, on the evidence of the opening two games against Wrexham in Helsinki and against an admittedly limited Rosenberg in Trondheim, there are definite signs that Mount and Santos could form a very productive partnership.

It’s already clear that Santos is happy to sit deep, take the ball from defenders, find gaps in passing lanes and press the opposition.

It allowed Mount – who won the last of his 36 England caps four years ago – to use his undoubted ability on the ball, helping him find space and drive United up the pitch. It’s not something he’s usually noted for, but Mount isn’t afraid to make a tackle either.

“I’ve known Andre for a while,” said Mount. “I’ve watched him from afar since he joined 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 a little bit more and work off of him.

“Defensively as well, we’re both players who want to get close to it, tackle, win the ball back and be aggressive.

“I really enjoyed it. It’s a position I’ve played for many years since I was young. It’s a position I love and I see myself.”

Although he is by no means a veteran, Mount has taken his duties as a senior professional very seriously in this summer’s pre-season games.

He has spent time with the younger players, and before the Rosenberg match it was notable that he spent time with Shea Lacey, whose superb opener in the 5-0 win surely moved him closer to a permanent place in Carrick’s squad.

Speaking to reporters in April, Mount, whose contract runs until 2028, looked ahead to a campaign that includes a return to the Champions League and what he can contribute.

“We have a lot more games next season, which is what you want at a big club,” he said at the time. “The pressure to perform and win is what we like as players. Whether it’s starting or coming off the bench, I’m ready.”

That’s the kind of attitude managers love.

Carrick showed exactly what he thinks of Mount by captaining him briefly in the second half in Norway, after Harry Maguire went on at the break before most of the changes just after the hour mark.

“You have different types of leaders,” Mount said.

“You have some who are very vocal, but I see myself as someone who leads by example and never stops working.

“I was captain many years ago, so I love this role.

“Especially with so many young players on the pitch, and also, being able to talk to them and make them feel comfortable, that’s something I really like.”

There are more than five weeks to go until the transfer window closes and United continue to be linked with big money signings.

But the club already has what it needs in midfield to show that Mount is certainly making a strong case.