Rice and Mount are both expected to be on the move this summer (Picture: Getty)

Jamie Carragher believes Declan Rice would be a better solution for Manchester United than signing Mason Mount with Gary Neville surprised by his former side’s ongoing pursuit of the Chelsea star.

Erik ten Hag is eager to bolster his options in midfield this summer with the club preparing an opening offer for Mount, whose contract at Stamford Bridge will expire next summer.

The England international is understood to be keen to make the move to Old Trafford with Rice, Mount’s boyhood friend, also set for a huge summer transfer following his Europa League Conference triumph with West Ham United.

United also have long-term interest in Rice but the Hammers captain reportedly favours a move to Arsenal, who are expected to launch their opening offer for his services this week.

While believing Mount offers an upgrade on current United star Christian Eriksen, Carragher suggests Rice fits the mould for what ten Hag’s midfield is crying out for.

‘Mason Mount an upgrade on Eriksen in terms of where he plays,’ Carragher told Metro.co.uk.

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

‘Declan Rice and Mason Mount, they are very different players and it shouldn’t be one or the other but when you look at what Manchester United have got right now, I actually think Declan Rice would be a better fit for them. A lot more expensive of course.

‘I do think he [Mount] is a good player and I like him, I wanted Liverpool to get him. Lots of coaches have picked him and like him. There is already a good player in there but Declan Rice would suit United more than Mason Mount in terms of how they set up.’

United’s opening bid for Mount is expected to be in the region of £55million but the clubs remain apart in their valuation with Chelsea looking for £70million.

Mount could offer an upgrade on Eriksen, says Carragher (Picture: Getty)

Former United skipper Neville, who hits the road with Carragher and Roy Keane on The Overlap on Tour this week, agreed there are more pressing matters in United’s engine room, particularly with the club’s summer transfer budget complicated by the ongoing ownership saga.

‘I am surprised about the Mason Mount one to be honest with you,’ Neville said. ‘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 Mason Mount is the player to go in and sort all that out? I’m not quite sure.

Mount has agreed personal terms with United (Picture: Getty)

‘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.

‘Mason Mount would be a very good addition to Manchester United’s squad, but it is a lot of money for a squad addition.

‘Does Mount, Casemiro and Bruno work as a midfield three? Spending £60million, you have got to get that jump towards winning the league from third place. Manchester 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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The Overlap on tour sees Neville, Carragher and Keane travel across the UK and Ireland, revisiting the places that shaped their lives and careers.

‘Time on road has been great,’ Carragher said of the new series. ‘It has given us an insight to where we all come from. Of course, we know each other as players, as teammates and against each other so we know each other in that professional sense. But getting to know where someone comes from is different.

‘I was in Gary’s old house where he grew up. So it takes you back to how they grew up and what is was like to get to where they got to professionally, playing in the Premier League and at international level. Everyone has their own journey and influences so it was nice to get that insight into what got them there.’

The Overlap on Tour airs on Sky Max and Sky Showcase on Thursday 14th June at 9:00pm with new episodes weekly.

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Arsenal lead the race for Rice but a number of clubs are eager to sign the West Ham star.