Forget Mount! Man Utd signed the wrong Chelsea midfielder last summer

Jacque Talbot

• 25 Jan 2024 10:00 CST
• 3 min read

Mason Mount has not enjoyed his move to Manchester United so far. It was the club’s first addition over the summer.

The midfielder joined the Red Devils instead of interest from Liverpool, in a deal worth an initial £55 million, plus potential add-ons of £5 million.

Since arriving, Man Utd have not been to standard. Of course, Mount is not the blame for this at all, but in retrospect, he was never going to be the man that the club needed.

The Red Devils, despite their grand finish to the season the term prior, needed characters to come. Mount was clearly suffering confidence issues when he joined; he needed to a winning team to gel into, rather than be one of the main facets to help ignite a new club. It’s why he probably would have worked at Liverpool, under the enigmatic Jurgen Klopp. Under Erik ten Hag, it was always going to be a recipe for disaster.

Mount has played just 627 minutes in total this season. He has yet to score or assist in the Premier League, while he has netted one in the EFL Cup. Ten Hag hasn’t helped, pitching Mount in four positions throughout the season, while of course, his injuries this campaign have not allowed him to develop and become accustomed to the Man Utd side.

Why Man Utd should've signed Conor Gallagher

Elsewhere is Conor Gallagher, who has been Chelsea’s best player this season, other than Cole Palmer. It’s been widely reported that the England international is considered an ideal player to sell on amid the current Financial Fair Play constraints bestowing the Blues. It’s thought that the club need to move on the player to ensure they have funds to bring in more players.

SciSports suggests that Man Utd would be the optimal choice for Gallagher. He would thrive in Erik ten Hag’s midfield, finally being the engine that the side need. Casemiro’s legs appear to be gone and there is no one else who has been able to lift the club.

Soyfan Amrabat is yet to show signs of life and Scott McTominay is played better when further ahead. Had Man Utd bought Gallagher over Mount, perhaps the club would not be in such a mess at the moment on the pitch.