Manchester United have finally got their man after agreeing a deal to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea.
After protracted negotiations, a deal to sign the Englishman for £55million with £5million in add-ons has been agreed. Mount will become United's first signing of the summer transfer window.
The 24-year-old was Ten Hag's first-choice recruit to bolster his midfield options. United held their nerve in negotiations and finally found a compromise with Chelsea, who wanted £65million despite there only being one year left on Mount's contract.
After the formalities of a medical and the paperwork, Mount will join his new team-mates when they return for pre-season training. He will give Ten Hag more flexibility in midfield and could provide a number of tactical fits.
READ MORE: Manchester United to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea after agreeing £60million fee
Ahead of the move to Old Trafford, MEN Sport takes a look at three ways Mount could fit into United's starting line-up next season:
To compete with Fernandes
United currently lack a like-for-like replacement for Fernandes with Donny van de Beek out injured. Mount's best role has been as a number 10 and he provides a similar goal threat to the Portuguese international.
Mount has shown he is perhaps most adept when he has license to break into the final third and arrive in the box. He's an intelligent player who picks up good spaces between the lines for his team-mates to find.
Mount is also a fantastic presser which is why he is so liked by England boss Gareth Southgate. Like Fernandes, the 24-year-old loves to hound his opponents and seems a good fit for Ten Hag's front-foot football.
An Eriksen replacement
Mount has, at times, played in a deeper role too. The midfielder's work rate means he could be an option alongside Casemiro and Fernandes in midfield.
This could be as a number eight with Fernandes in a 4-3-3, or simply behind the stand-in United captain, ahead of Casemiro. Ten Hag has shown he is happy to trust a more attack-minded player alongside Casemiro as he showed with Eriksen. Mount is far more mobile than the Dane though and will be a better option to press opponents.
Mount likes to drift into the left half-space and arrive in the box late. This role would particularly suit against teams where United are expected to dominate the ball and can afford an extra attacking option.
Another wide option
While it is not his best role, Mount has been used as a narrow forward in attack too. Particularly in Chelsea's 3-4-3 under Thomas Tuchel.
Mount favours the left side and was be used on that side of the front three when Chelsea won the Champions League. He is tactically intelligent and capable of using that start position before drifting inside to link with team-mates.
While Ten Hag has tended to operate with more 'natural' wingers, this offers him another option. There is plenty of competition though with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho.
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