United took advantage of Mount's contract situation to lure him away from Stamford Bridge, with Erik ten Hag seemingly planning to use him alongside Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in midfield.

But his injury woes added to the endless adversity that struck the Dutchman in his second season in charge, significantly contributing to an underwhelming first impression.

He was named Chelsea's Player of the Year in 2021 after helping his boyhood club win the Champions League and received the reward again the next year.

But the England international isn't the first midfielder to arrive at United with the task of competing for minutes against Bruno Fernandes - club captain and one of Europe's top playmakers.

That said, unlike Donny van de Beek, Mount has proven he is capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Premier League's elite midfielders when he's at his best.

Express Sport pinpoints two actions United can take to give their No. 7 the greatest chance of becoming a success under INEOS rather than one of the old regime's last recruitment failures.

Revert to a 4-2-3-1 There was considerable coverage about the number of shots United faced last season as they slumped to their worst-ever Premier League finish, and rightly so.

Ten Hag's questionable decision to switch from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 undoubtedly contributed to the gaping void in the middle of the pitch that became all too familiar.

United have switched back to a double midfield pivot in pre-season, with Mount operating as the attacking midfielder playing behind the striker.

They would do right to stick with it, allowing Mount and Fernandes more opportunities to attack rather than dropping deep into uncharted territory and contributing to a severe lack of shape.

Gallagher has also entered the final year of his Chelsea contract, and the club have been making a blatantly obvious effort to cash in.

The pair shared a great relationship at the Blues, playing together over 30 times, and United reportedly plan to sign a midfielder if they offload one of Casemiro, Scott McTominay or Christian Eriksen.

Gallagher's proposed transfer fee would represent a bargain for an established international midfielder who could become Kobbie Mainoo's long-term partner.