Jamie Carragher reckons Manchester United should not prioritise signing Chelsea star Mason Mount
Jamie Carragher has urged Manchester United to sign West Ham United ace Declan Rice over Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are frontrunner to sign the 24-year-old, who is also favouring a move to Old Trafford. Man United are likely to make an imminent bid and the chances of Mount staying in west London appear unlikely.
Chelsea’s hopes of keeping Mount are dwindling given that the England international has not agreed to extend his contract, which will expire in 2024. It makes more sense for us to cash in now than risk losing the player for free in a year’s time.
Rice has also been a top target for United and Arsenal, but the Gunners are currently leading the race to sign the West Ham United skipper. Earlier, the Blues also showed interest in signing Rice, but it appears to have taken a backseat now.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino wants to keep Mount for next season, but it seems unlikely that the Argentine will get his way. However, Chelsea wants £70 million for the midfielder, an amount that Man United appear unwilling to match.
But the former Liverpool defender feels United ought to sign Rice instead of Mount, as he told the Metro (h/t Mirror),:
“Mason Mount is an upgrade on Christian Eriksen in terms of where he plays.” But going back to Declan Rice, United are one of the few teams at the top who don’t play 4-3-3; it’s usually two midfielders with Bruno Fernandes.”
“Rice and Mount are very different players, and it shouldn’t be one or the other, but when you look at what Manchester United have got right now, I actually think Declan Rice would be a better fit for them. A lot more expensive, of course.”
Carragher has a point: United already have Bruno Fernandes and adding Mount won’t make sense given that they will have two attacking midfielders. Erik Ten Hag may find it challenging to play both of them at once. Additionally, Mount will not want to serve as a backup player.
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Rice seems like a more rational signing given they need a ball-holding midfielder. Casemiro is excellent, but the Hammers’ skipper will be an upgrade to him. Let’s hope they drop interest in signing Mount and he changes his mind and extends his contract at Chelsea.