Mason Mount might be about do something he was not expecting at Manchester United

With Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes still absent after representing their nations at the European Championship, opportunity knocks for the rest of Manchester United's midfielders.

Mainoo helped England reach the final of the showpiece event in Germany and Fernandes and Portugal reached the last eight. Both players, like other members of the squad who participated at a major tournament over the summer, are entitled to three weeks off.

As a result, neither of them were aboard the flight that left Manchester Airport for Los Angeles last Wednesday. It means manager Erik ten Hag is in the US without two thirds of his strongest midfield.

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Mainoo was United's breakout star last season, being transformed from a first-team hopeful to one of the very first names on the teamsheet. His importance is now on par with Fernandes'.

Operating with a three-man midfield, Mainoo and Fernandes occupy two of the three roles, with only the defensive midfield berth in need of attention ahead of the transfer window closing next month. Casemiro regressed at an alarming rate last season and United want to sign a replacement.

Should they source that defensive midfield specialist, the answer to that search will take the final midfield role and complete Ten Hag's strongest midfield alongside Mainoo and Fernandes. It means the likes of Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay will be left waiting in the wings.

After swooping for Mount in last summer's transfer window, United were expected to deploy him in the No.8 position, with the England international trading