Mason Mount pictured in the stands during a spell out injured with Manchester United(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester United are unrecognisable from the team which Ruben Amorim left following a 1-1 draw at Leeds last month. Since Michael Carrick’s return, the formation has changed, the style of football has become more exciting and players are being used in positions which suit their strengths.
Bruno Fernandes is an example of that. United’s captain and talisman was less effective playing in the deeper midfield role alongside Casemiro but now has more freedom to impact matches further up the pitch as a No.10. Patrick Dorgu, prior to his injury, became a revelation on the left wing having struggled at wing-back under Amorim.
United are a different beast these days and while on the surface it seems like everyone is a winner, there is one man who will be wondering what comes next. Under Amorim, Mason Mount was a firm favourite and his performances were impressive.
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He scored two of his three goals this season in a three-match spell which cemented him in the former head coach’s plans. After the second of these strikes in the 4-1 win at Wolves, Amorim went out of his way to hail the performance of Mount.
“He can defend, he can attack, the quality when he touches the ball is really good, so it’s not a surprise for me [to see Mount doing well],” Amorim said. “He’s a different type of leader. It’s not like Licha [Lisandro Martinez], for example. It’s a guy that leads by the example.
“It doesn’t matter the situation, Mason Mount is always the same thing – training, talking, dealing with people around Carrington. That is not easy, so he’s a very, very good player.”
Fastforward two months and suddenly Mount’s time at United is in serious jeopardy again. The change to the 4-2-3-1 formation has seen Mount suffer a similar fate to Kobbie Mainoo earlier in the campaign.
The former Chelsea man is now battling for just one spot in this side, rather than two, and that battle is against Fernandes. It does not matter who the head coach is, Fernandes will always be the first name on the teamsheet.
So if Mount is not starting as the central attacking midfielder in this team, the question is where does he fit? He has previously played on the left and right but he is not threatening to start on either flank.
On the left is Matheus Cunha and now Dorgu; while on the right Amad and Bryan Mbeumo are holding down the fort. This leaves Mount in the wilderness.
At 27, he is in the prime of his career, but even when fit he does not have a regular place in this side. A lack of United fixtures this campaign has not helped but it poses the question as to what United should do with Mount? He has two years remaining on his contract so a fee in the region of £20m would be enough to avoid United making a loss under PSR.
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That price could tempt a potential buyer but his recent injury record, coupled with his United wage, could put potential suitors off. But it is starting to become impossible to see a scenario where he can stay at United especially when he risks losing the best years of his career as a back-up option.
Back in December, you would not have thought Mount would be faced with the prospect of considering his options elsewhere. That now feels like the only way forward.
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