Jamie Carragher singles out midfielder who is ‘a better fit for Manchester United than Mason Mount’

Jamie Carragher has advised Manchester United to pursue a deal for another Premier League midfielder rather than continue the search for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.

United are deciding on their transfer priorities ahead of the opening of the summer window on Tuesday and Carragher thinks the Red Devils should consider signing one of Mount’s England teammates instead.

Erik ten Hag’s side have reportedly made a £55 million bid for Mount, but Chelsea are said to value their academy product at nearly £85 million.

Former Liverpool defender Carragher is an admirer of Mount and believes the Blues star would improve United’s quality in midfield, but believes another player would be a better fit for Ten Hag’s formation.

That player is West Ham captain Declan Rice, who is on the verge of leaving the Hammers in the summer and is being pursued by Arsenal along with interest from abroad.

The out-of-favourite Blues midfielder is in the interest of Manchester United

Rice would be a more expensive addition than Mount, but Carragher thinks it would be money well spent given the versatility of the 24-year-old midfielder.

“Mason Mount is an improvement on Christian Eriksen in terms of where he plays,” Carragher said Metro.nl.

“But to go back to Declan Rice, United are one of the few teams at the top that don’t play 4-3-3, it’s usually two midfielders with Bruno Fernandes.

“Declan Rice and Mason Mount, they’re very different players and it shouldn’t be one or the other, but if you look at what Manchester United have at the moment, I actually think Declan Rice would be a better fit for them. Much more expensive of course.

‘I think that he [Mount] is a good player and I like him, I wanted Liverpool to get him. Many coaches have picked him and like him.

“There’s a good player in there already, but Declan Rice would suit United better than Mason Mount when it comes to how they play.”

Former United title-winning fullback Gary Neville echoed similar sentiments with his expert colleague, casting doubt on whether Mount can transform his previous club into Premier League title challengers.

Jamie Carragher thinks Man United should pursue a move for Declan Rice (right) over Mount (left)

Rice is wanted by numerous top clubs and Arsenal would lead the race for his signature

Carragher (pictured) believes Rice is a better fit for Erik ten Hag’s formation at United

Neville explained that bringing Mount to Old Trafford would be a good thing, but explained that spending extra money on Rice would be a smarter investment.

“To be honest, I’m surprised at Mason Mount’s,” Neville said. ‘For the reported £60 million fee… he’s a very good player, that’s not a question for me.

“I think you’d be better off paying £100 million plus to Jude Bellingham or £80-100 million to Rice and getting something that you think could be real.

“Mason Mount would be a very good addition to Manchester United’s squad, but it’s a lot of money for a squad,” he added.