Man Utd hope to add a second attacking midfielder to their squad in the summer transfer window.
It looks like Ruben Amorim is going to have his second transfer wish come true, but it could come at a cost to one of his favourite players. Manchester United have already signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves and are confident they will also add Brentford talisman Bryan Mbeumo to their squad.
Amorim requested an attacking overhaul in the summer window as he looked to address the lack of threat and creativity from a forward line that managed just 44 goals in the Premier League last season. The United head coach has a preference to sign those who have already proven they can do it in the English top-flight in an effort to improve the physicality of his squad. Cunha and Mbeumo notched 35 league goals between themselves last season.
The thought of Cunha and Mbeumo linking up in the United attack is an exciting prospect ahead of the new season, though it will come with some consequences. Bruno Fernandes might need to drop into a less effective midfield role and Amad Diallo could be deployed more regularly as a wing-back to accommodate the recruits. Then, some were already on the periphery, who now have even more uncertainty surrounding them.
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What role will Mason Mount play
Mason Mount has no desire to leave Manchester United this summer, but the transfer business certainly poses a question over where he fits into the new starting line up. Maybe he doesn’t. The 26-year-old has only made 46 appearances during his two seasons with the club and missed 23 matches due to two separate injuries last season.
Despite that, he still retains the backing of Ruben Amorim, who boldly stated he 'loved' the midfielder for his attitude and work ethic. It certainly indicates Mount will still have a role to play next season, after all, he started in the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Mount is arguably a better player when United are without the ball, thanks to his high energy and intelligent pressing, which can help United unsettle opponents who like to dictate possession. He is also a good ball carrier who brings enterprise to the attack, though it says a lot that Amorim has targeted two very different midfielders this summer who are much more creative with the ball.
The plan is clearly for United to be a more threatening side with the ball and for them to be less reliant on their work out of possession, with Mount perhaps only suited to the matches when they face the very best sides in the Premier League. It means he could oddly feature quite a bit in the opening stages of the new season when United face Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea, before he is eventually replaced by both Cunha and Mbeumo on a more regular basis.
When everyone is fully fit, it is hard to argue Mount should be in the starting line up and there is even an argument Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo could all be ahead of him in the pecking order as well. Mount should still get the full season to prove himself capable of a key role under Amorim, but the pressure to perform is even higher when two proven replacements are signed.
The old saying is that if you love someone, you should let them go. Amorim will hope he doesn't have to do that with the United player he adores so much.
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