Manchester United legend Gary Neville has admitted he is "surprised" about his former club's pursuit of Mason Mount.
United appear close to making Mount their first signing of the summer, having already agreed personal terms with the midfielder. They are yet to agree a fee with Chelsea, but will be hoping the fact that Mount has entered the final year of his contract will drive down his price.
However, Neville has questioned whether Mount would be the right fit in midfield for United, who are in the midst of a rebuild under Erik ten Hag. Instead, Neville feels United should have gone all out to sign either Jude Bellingham or Declan Rice.
"I am surprised about the Mason Mount one to be honest with you," Neville told the Metro. "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."
Fellow Sky Sports pundit and ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher agrees with Neville's assessment, adding: "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."
