Manchester United need to do what they did with Casemiro as third Mason Mount bid rejected

If there is one positive to take from Manchester United's prolonged pursuit of Mason Mount, it is that they are learning from the mistakes of last summer.

United spent 100 days infatuated with a move for Frenkie de Jong a year ago before marking their century with the signing of Casemiro instead.

The situation with Mount is different but shares enough similarities. Instead of it being the player who doesn't want to join, this time the sticking point is with the club instead.

United had no issue agreeing a fee with Barcelona, just as agreeing personal terms with Mount has been, though this time it is Chelsea who have proved to be the stumbling block.

Read next: Roy Keane has given his verdict on United pursuit of Mount

Erik ten Hag is a huge admirer of the Chelsea midfielder, but with a restricted summer budget and bigger priorities lying elsewhere, they can't afford to be drawn into needless transfer games.

There is an acceptance that a 'United tax' still exists, and rival clubs will always look to extract as much money as possible from them in the transfer market, but it's a sign of encouragement that they are gradually learning from those mistakes.

While there are certain players worth blowing the budget on, United know that signing a midfielder isn't as important as signing a striker or goalkeeper this summer, and certainly not Mount.

It might well be different if it were another pursuit for a top target like De Jong or Declan Rice, but there must be an acceptance that even the highest offer they saw rejected for Mount is generous for a player who is out of contract in a year's time.

United will move on from their top midfield target a lot quicker than they did last year, but just like a year ago, the failed