Jamie Carragher thinks West Ham midfielder Declan Rice would be a “better fit” for Man Utd than Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.
The Red Devils are looking to improve areas of their midfield this summer with Erik ten Hag reportedly making Mount one of their top targets.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claimed last week that Man Utd were “preparing their opening bid” for the England international with Chelsea demanding “at least” £69m for the attacking midfielder.
And, despite Mount being an “upgrade” on Christian Eriksen, former Liverpool defender Carragher reckons top Arsenal target Rice would be a “better fit” at Old Trafford.
“Mason Mount an upgrade on Eriksen in terms of where he plays,” Carragher told the Metro.
“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.
“Declan Rice and Mason Mount, they 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.
“I do think he [Mount] is a good player and I like him, I wanted Liverpool to get him. Lots of coaches have picked him and like him. There is already a good player in there but Declan Rice would suit United more than Mason Mount in terms of how they set up.”
And fellow Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville agrees with Carragher that Rice would be a better acquisition than Mount for Man Utd.
Neville said: “I am surprised about the Mason Mount one to be honest with you. For the reported £60million fee… he is a very good player, that isn’t a question for me.
“But I look at the players United have got already in terms of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Fred and Scott McTominay. Do I think Mason Mount is the player to go in and sort all that out? I’m not quite sure.
“I think you would have been better off going and playing £100million plus on Jude Bellingham or £80-100million on Declan Rice and getting something you think can be the real thing.
“Mason Mount would be a very good addition to Manchester United’s squad, but it is a lot of money for a squad addition.
“Does Mount, Casemiro and Bruno work as a midfield three? Spending £60million, you have got to get that jump towards winning the league from third place. Manchester United at this moment in time, they haven’t got the money and they haven’t got the promise of the new ownership to be able to throw the big money at players.”
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