Neville gives his take on United’s interest in Mount (Picture: Getty)
Gary Neville is not convinced Mason Mount should be viewed as a priority transfer target for Manchester United but understands why Erik ten Hag is eager to sign the Chelsea star.
United are now leading the race to sign the England international, who has refused to sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge with his current contract set to expire next summer.
Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested in signing the midfielder but Mount is currently favouring a move to Old Trafford, believing ten Hag’s system provides the best fit for him.
Former United captain Neville says Mount’s qualities would greatly appeal to the United boss, believing the 24-year-old helps ‘glue teams together’ even if some of his best work goes unnoticed by supporters.
‘Mason Mount is a coach’s player, I think that is the best way to describe him and there have been many I have seen in my lifetime in football where they get more respect from the coaching staff for what they do than they do from the fans that are watching them,’ Neville told Sky Sports.
‘Because their outputs in goals or assists or tackles or other things that are really noticeable aren’t as much as people would like.
‘What they do is glue teams together, they know when to fill in gaps and trigger presses, win the ball back and counter attack.
Mount has endured a tough season at Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty)
‘So I’m not surprised Mason Mount is a target for Manchester United. I don’t think it would be a priority here, but he [ten Hag] does want midfield players.
‘You think about Dutch coaches, they want to dominate possession, he [ten Hag] wants that [Frenkie] de Jong, he wants players who can handle the ball.
‘He loves [Christian] Eriksen, he loves [Marcel] Sabitzer, he loves [Bruno] Fernandes.
More: Trending
‘He’s left Fred and [Scott] McTominay out of the team more often than not because he loves more technical players and Mason Mount is a technical player who is available.’
Just how much United have to spent this summer remains uncertain with the club’s takeover still unresolved.
Recent reports suggest Chelsea want at least £55million for Mount with United reluctant to go that high.
MORE : Why Mason Mount favours a move to Manchester United over Arsenal and Liverpool
MORE : Paul Scholes questions Manchester United’s push to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
United are preparing an opening offer for the midfielder.
