Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images
Mason Mount’s biggest test for Manchester United in the 2026-27 campaign has put the situation around Kobbie Mainoo at Old Trafford into even better perspective.
The 27-year-old Manchester United No 7 has been brought to the forefront of the discourse this summer after his involvement in the Red Devils’ pre-season tour.
Mason Mount has featured in all three of the Red Devils’ friendly matches so far and has clocked in 196 minutes after his injury-hit 2025-26 Premier League season.
The United star, who has been captain twice during this summer’s pre-season campaign, is now presenting Michael Carrick with a big question going forward.
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Mason Mount of Manchester United applauds fans following the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Atletico de Madrid at Strawberry Arena on August 01, 2026 in Solna, Sweden.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Cristian Orozco of Manchester United poses after signing for the club at Carrington Training Ground on August 06, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Cristian Orozco of Manchester United poses after signing for the club at Carrington Training Ground on August 06, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Mason Mount must find a way to challenge Bruno Fernandes in a way that Kobbie Mainoo could not
Bruno Fernandes, who has not featured on the tour due to his extended break after the World Cup, showed his impact from the No 10 role under Michael Carrick.
The 31-year-old Manchester United captain broke the Premier League assist record last season after Bruno Fernandes was shifted back to an advanced position.
Mason Mount only featured seven times in the Premier League under United manager Carrick and was only in the starting XI on two occasions.
Ex-Chelsea assistant coach Jody Morris worked with Mount at both the Blues and Derby County and feels that the United star will have to compete with Fernandes.
“The real acid test will be coming when the season starts and where Mount will fit in, because obviously, probably Manchester United’s best player for the last five, six years is Bruno Fernandes, and I would say that Mount competes with Bruno Fernandes,” he told Sky Sports.
“He is capable of playing as a number eight that’s maybe a little bit more involved in midfield, which I think Bruno Fernandes is.
“But then you’d probably say that they’re quite similar in stature and physicality, which sometimes managers won’t like.”
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Mason Mount competing with Bruno Fernandes shows the lose-lose situation that Kobbie Mainoo had at Man Utd
Whether or not Mount can successfully attempt to compete with Bruno Fernandes in the 2026-27 Premier League season is a whole different story to unpack.
But it does prove that Ruben Amorim put England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in the worst situation possible after he dropped Fernandes into a deeper role last season.
Kobbie Mainoo was left helpless in trying to fight for a position that suited him against Man Utd’s captain, who was obviously undroppable in the context of the situation.
Fernandes still did well after he was placed in the two-man pivot alongside Casemiro in Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd tactical system, but it came at the expense of Mainoo.
If Mount can overcome injuries next season, his versatility makes him more suited to challenge Fernandes or play back-up to him in an effective manner than Mainoo could ever do.