Michael Carrick don make im stand clear: Mason Mount no dey for sale. The Manchester United boss see the midfielder as key squad player, not surplus to requirement like Gary Neville yarn.
Carrick begin im permanent reign with sweet 3-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday. Mount get only im second start under the new gaffer.
The Athletic report say Carrick believe Mount’s ability to play different positions go help United as dem compete for four trophies next season. Champions League qualification mean say di fixture list go dey tight, so rotation go dey important.
Since Mount move from Chelsea, im don score only seven goals for 72 matches. But im show better form under former head coach Ruben Amorim, and don shine for few appearances near end of season.
Sunday na only Mount’s seventh appearance under Carrick, with just 200 minutes total. Injuries and selection problems mean Carrick focus on stabilising club, so Mount no fit get regular game time.
Despite Gary Neville talk say United fit sell Mount to raise transfer funds, Carrick don put that idea to rest. The boss dey plan to use the 27-year-old next season.
United dey target two starting midfielders for summer, including names like Elliot Anderson, Ederson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Sandro Tonali. But Mount still get role to play.
Players like Manuel Ugarte, Andre Onana, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford expected to leave. Fringe stars like Joshua Zirkzee and Altay Bayindir fit also go.
Neville, for im Sky Sports podcast after win over Liverpool, yarn say Carrick go dey happy but no go fool by second half performance. Im say United need left-back, centre-back, and two midfielders as priority.
Neville add say if United fit trade Mount for more flexible player, im go support. But e say di four areas na main focus.
Carrick don show say im dey ready to build squad wey go compete. Mount dey part of that plan, and any talk of sale don die.
