Mason Mount Scout report: How does the Midfielder fit in at Manchester United?

With the summer transfer window approaching, Erik ten Hag is now set to enter the next phase of his Manchester United rebuild. United have been strongly linked to the likes of Harry Kane, Kim Min-jae, Adrien Rabiot and most recently Mason Mount.

Date of Birth: 10/01/1999 (24)
Position: Attacking Midfield, Central Midfield
Strong Foot: Right
Height: 1,81 m (5ft 9 in)

Mason Mount linked with a move to Manchester United

Embed from Getty Images

Mason Mount graduated from Chelsea’s famous academy, making his debut at Old Trafford of all places in 2019. Playing in a variety of roles in midfield, Mount has become a household name in English football playing a vital role in the Chelsea squad who won the 2020/21 Champions League, assisting the winning goal.

While Mount has been an important player for Chelsea over the last few years, he now looks likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, following a disappointing 2022/23 season. While Arsenal and Liverpool are both reportedly interested in signing the English midfielder, Mount is leaning towards a move to Manchester United and talks are expected in due course, according to David Ornstein.

Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail furthered the story suggesting United want to pay £55m while Chelsea want £85m. Mokbel adds that United may be prepared to increase their initial valuation given Ten Hag’s determination to add him to his ranks.

Strengths

Embed from Getty Images

While Mount has had a disappointing 2022/23 season, he is still a player with a lot of quality and he’d certainly improve Erik ten Hag’s side. Mount is an intelligent player who’s very comfortable in possession. In the 2021/22 Premier League season, the Chelsea midfielder averaged 6.25 progressive passes per 90 as well as 3.50 progressive carries per 90. In addition to progressing the ball up the pitch, Mount is a fantastic creative player who has the ability to play line breaking passes. In the 2021/22 Premier League season, he averaged 2.21 key passes per 90 and 4.53 shot-creating actions per 90 which highlights his impressive creative ability. He also picked up 10 assists in the 2021/22 Premier League and created 58 chances, the most of any Chelsea player.

In addition to his creative ability, Mount also poses a goal threat. The midfielder found the back of the net on 11 occasions during the 2021/22 Premier League season which is very impressive. Mount is also a very competent set-piece taker.

Weaknesses

Embed from Getty Images

Mount has a few weaknesses to his game. While he’s decent defensively, he’s still not amazing and Casemiro would still have to do a lot of United’s defensive work in midfield. However, Mount is still an upgrade off the ball compared to Eriksen.

Mount also isn’t amazing in the air, having only won 39% of his aerial duels this season. There are also some questions for his consistency.

Where would he fit in at Manchester United?

Embed from Getty Images

It’s no secret that Erik ten Hag wanted to bring Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United last summer. De Jong is a midfielder who excels in the first phase of build-up. The Dutchman is press-resistant and is exceptional at dropping into deep areas and carrying the ball forward. However, having failed to secure the signature of the Barcelona midfielder, it now seems that Ten Hag has changed the way he wants to build his Manchester United team.

While Mount now seems to be Manchester United’s midfield priority, the Reds have also been linked to the likes of Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister and Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus. All these midfielders are attacking-minded and are capable of playing as an advanced no.8 and as the no.10. This means that Ten Hag isn’t looking for a midfielder who can drop deep in build-up anymore, but rather an attacking-minded player who will help United create more chances. Should United secure Mount’s services this summer, he’d likely play as an advanced no.8 alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in a midfield 3.

Ten Hag’s desire to sign a more attacking-minded midfielder makes it easier to understand why United are keen on Napoli centre-back Kim Min-Jae. As United now likely won’t be signing a midfielder who can drop deep to help build out from the back, it is essential that United’s back line are all comfortable on the ball. Both Kim Min-jae and Lisandro Martinez are brilliant on the ball and are capable of progressing the ball up the pitch which would compensate for United’s lack of a phase one midfielder. One of United’s full backs could also invert to help with the build-up play from the back.

Verdict

While many fans probably expected Ten Hag to try and sign a midfielder similar to Frenkie de Jong this summer, Ten Hag has now quite clearly changed his plans and is keen on signing an attacking-minded midfielder who can operate as an advanced no.8. Mount would fit this role well and is also an upgrade on Eriksen, who would likely become a rotational player should Mount join. It’s always risky signing players who are coming off the back of a poor season but Mount has shown his quality in the past.

There are risks to signing Mount, and United shouldn’t be paying Chelsea’s reported £85m asking price as he’s only got one year left on his current contract and has had a poor season. However, if United can agree a deal in the region of £55m, which is reportedly what they want to pay, it would be an astute signing. He has had a disappointing season but Chelsea in general have been poor and that would’ve obviously made things a lot more difficult for him.

United are also keen on signing Adrien Rabiot on a free transfer this summer, after failing to secure the signature of the French midfielder last summer. Rabiot has enjoyed an excellent season at Juventus and has excelled playing as an advanced no.8. Even if United do sign Mount, Rabiot would still be a valuable addition. He can play as the advanced no.8, which Ten Hag wants, but is also very decent defensively which would be useful in the bigger games where United don’t have most of the possession.