Former right-back Gary Neville is not convinced that Chelsea ace Mason Mount is the answer to Manchester United's quest to strengthen their midfield options this summer.
United, who will discover their fixture list for the 2023/24 Premier League campaign on Thursday morning, have agreed personal terms with Mount ahead of the prospect of him completing a switch to Old Trafford. It is understood that the England international's representatives, his father Tony and agent Neil Fewings, have held advanced discussions with the club.
As things currently stand, however, United are yet to reach an agreement with Chelsea over a transfer fee. It is suggested that the Blues are holding out for an eye-watering fee, but the Reds hope to force the Londoners into reducing their demands because of Mount's contract situation.
He is out of contract at Stamford Bridge next summer and wants to leave the club to take on a fresh challenge. United manager Erik ten Hag has made strengthening his midfield options one of his leading priorities this summer and wants to add younger legs to that area of the team.
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However, Neville does not believe that Mount is the solution to Ten Hag's problem, suggesting that the Reds should be aiming to bring in a more established option to help the club take the next step.
Neville, as quoted by the Metro, 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 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. Mount would be a very good addition to United's squad, but it is a lot of money for a squad addition.
"Does Mount, Casemiro and Fernandes work as a midfield-three? Spending £60million, you have got to get that jump towards winning the league from third place.
"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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