Mason Mount has offered glowing endorsement of Manchester United's midfield reinforcement Andrey Santos, highlighting the Brazilian's composure and tactical intelligence following a commanding 5-0 pre-season victory over Rosenborg in Norway. The pair operated effectively in a deeper midfield setup, with Mount keen to emphasize how quickly the £48 million signing has integrated into Erik ten Hag's system.
Mount, who reunites with his former Chelsea teammate, underscored Santos' maturity despite his youth. "Andrey is a really good player. He reads the game brilliantly," Mount revealed. "I've known him for a while, watched him from afar since he broke into Chelsea's first team. Even though he's young, he's very experienced from loan spells and competing in the Premier League." The 27-year-old England international has become an informal mentor to Santos, who struggled for consistent opportunities at Stamford Bridge before his move to Old Trafford.
A New Tactical Role for Mount
Mount himself is thriving in a reimagined position as a fluid number 8, operating alongside Santos in a defensive midfield partnership. The dynamic allows him to drive forward from deeper territory while maintaining cover. "Defensively, we both want to get around the pitch, put tackles in, win the ball back and be aggressive," Mount explained. "It's a position I love and see myself in." With Casemiro departed and Manuel Ugarte sidelined by injury, this partnership bears significant responsibility during the early campaign.
Beyond tactical contributions, Mount has assumed a leadership mantle within a youthful squad, wearing the captain's armband during the second half against Rosenborg. He emphasized his preference for leading by example rather than bombast: "I've been captain before and enjoy the role. With younger players, being able to speak to them, make them feel comfortable on and off the pitch—that's what I value." The veteran midfielder encouraged emerging talent including Shea Lacey, who opened the scoring with a composed finish.
Mount stressed his improved physical condition after three injury-interrupted seasons at Old Trafford, where he managed only 25 Premier League appearances. Strong late-season form has provided momentum heading into the campaign. "I feel brilliant, really good. I finished strongly and built momentum. After a good break, I was eager to return to training," he said. With several remaining pre-season fixtures before competitive action resumes, Mount and Santos will seek to solidify their on-pitch understanding and fine-tune United's midfield balance.
