Manchester United have strengthened their central midfield ranks as their first move in the summer transfer market.
Mason Mount has arrived from Chelsea for an initial £55m fee. It was the maiden acquisition made by Erik ten Hag this summer as he aims to strengthen his United squad ahead of his second season in charge at Old Trafford.
More business is expected to happen over the next two months before the transfer window closes at the start of September. A goalkeeper and a striker are among the priority positions to fill.
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READ MORE: Why Manchester United have made Mason Mount their new No.7
Central midfield has been strengthened thanks to Mount's arrival. But though other positions require reinforcements, the engine room could yet get even more bodies added to it this summer.
United are keeping their options open over a second midfield signing this summer. They have been linked with a move for Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat, with the 26-year-old having worked under Ten Hag at FC Utrecht in 2017, while United are also one of several Premier League teams monitoring 19-year-old Romeo Lavia following Southampton's relegation from the Premier League.
A couple of midfielders in the current squad could move on to pastures new, explaining United's mindset for further reinforcements in that area of the pitch. Fulham are interested in bringing Fred to Craven Cottage this summer, with the Brazilian having only a year left on his Old Trafford contract.
Scott McTominay's future is also uncertain. The academy graduate has been the subject of interest from Newcastle and West Ham this summer, although any move would be dependent on United getting an offer too good to refuse and whether McTominay wants to move on.
But whether United do sign further central midfield reinforcements this summer, Ten Hag has already identified a potential solution already within his current squad. It could come in particularly handy if either Fred or McTominay depart.
Victor Lindelof was brought to United in 2017 by former boss Jose Mourinho from Portuguese side Benfica. He has been used mostly as a central defender during his time at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag is well aware of the Sweden international's football education and his time in Lisbon where he played in the middle of the park often. The prospect of deploying Lindelof in central midfield for United is something the Dutchman has already considered and knows the merits of.
"He was educated as a six, a control, holding midfielder in Benfica, I know he can do that," he said back in February.
"We tried it in training, maybe one game, I want my centre halves in midfield positions so we create dynamics to construct more dynamic."
United have not ruled out adding another central midfielder to their squad this summer. But even if they do not, Ten Hag knows he has a player who can do just that already at his disposal.
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