The recent absence of the typically ever-present Bruno Fernandes during Manchester United`s encounter with Newcastle United placed immediate focus on who would step into the crucial creative role. For the majority of the first half, it was Mason Mount who embraced this mantle, positioning the English playmaker at the center of all the Red Devils` actions, both in possession and defensively.
The 26-year-old’s growing influence was most keenly felt after the break, when his eventual absence forced the team into a highly conservative, second-half performance focused strictly on defense.
Frustratingly, the former Chelsea player’s persistent fitness struggles appear to have reemerged. Mount has been unable to prove himself as a consistently reliable presence in Ruben Amorim’s lineup, having completed the full 90 minutes on only two occasions this season. While his underlying quality remains apparent, such as his impressive goal at Molineux, his repeated unavailability means that Amorim and the management team are urgently seeking a durable upgrade.
INEOS Identifies Premier League Star as Primary Target
Mount, who signed for £55 million in the summer of 2023, has recently shifted from his traditional left-sided number ten role in Amorim`s 3-4-3 system into a deeper playmaking position, mimicking the role often taken by Fernandes. There have been several promising moments in recent weeks, including a stunning switch of play that led to Patrick Dorgu’s setup for Matheus Cunha at Villa Park.
However, the necessity to constantly manage his playing time means Mount has started just 29 of his 63 games for the club across all competitions. With United seemingly transitioning permanently to a back-four formation, Mount’s status could be at risk, especially if INEOS succeeds in signing Nottingham Forest`s standout talent, Elliot Anderson.
According to Nathan Salt of the Daily Mail, the 23-year-old Anderson is now the Old Trafford side`s `No.1 target,` desired as the central component of United’s planned midfield overhaul in 2026. Although Anderson is primarily viewed as a target for the summer window, short-term solutions like James Garner are being considered for the New Year. Securing Anderson, the former Newcastle player, is expected to demand a transfer fee upwards of £100 million.
Why Anderson Represents the Ideal Upgrade
Despite his issues with availability, Mount’s technical ability is hard to dispute, having been praised by Amorim as a `proper footballer.` When he is fit and performing, the injury-prone star is highly impactful, notably ranking in the top 11% of attacking midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals per 90, and impressively, the top 8% for tackles made per 90, according to FBref. He is truly an asset at both ends of the pitch.
Elliot Anderson mirrors this two-way quality, distinguishing himself as a master at disrupting play while possessing exceptional progressive skills when in possession. The young midfielder is now a leading contender to partner Declan Rice for England at the next World Cup. His comprehensive performance was evident during the Three Lions’ autumn internationals.
Anderson averaged 8.6 ball recoveries per game during World Cup qualifying, coupled with a stellar 93% pass accuracy (Sofascore). This impressive level of performance has been maintained even during a turbulent Premier League season at the City Ground, where he averages 8.4 ball recoveries and records 1.6 key passes per game from his 17 starts.
In comparison, Mount averages only 2.7 recoveries and 0.8 key passes from his 15 outings (of which only ten were starts), despite leading the press under Amorim. The statistics clearly highlight Anderson’s superior defensive output and consistency, marking him as the robust and dynamic midfield upgrade United and INEOS are seeking.
