Manchester United are at risk of forgetting their biggest transfer priority

Manchester United's summer looked to be getting off to a good start but is now starting to stall.

There's still lots and lots and lots of time in the transfer window to go yet so there's no need to jump straight to panic stations but concerning looks would be understandable. Erik ten Hag made a great start in his debut season but wants to seriously improve his squad in order to take them to the next level and compete with Manchester City for the title.

It's going to take a lot of work. Not only do several players deemed not good enough need to be moved on but quality replacements need to be brought in. As July draws near, only three players (two out of contract) have departed and no one has been signed.

Midfield is once again a key area of concern for the United boss. He recruited Christian Eriksen and Casemiro last summer and the dynamic duo were the driving force behind United's dramatic improvement. But both are in their 30s and missed big chunks of the campaign with injury or suspension.

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The drop in quality when just one - let alone both - was unavailable was stark. Fred, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek have not met Ten Hag's expectations or needs for a technically gifted midfielder and it wouldn't be surprising if any of them left.

That's where Mason Mount comes in. The Chelsea star is a classy operator on the ball and at 24 has the energy and stamina to compete for the full gruelling season and bring the age of the squad down.

With his contract at Stamford Bridge entering its final year and the two parties at an impasse over new terms, Mount is available this summer and United moved quickly to agree personal terms. It looked like the