This rollercoaster of a season has thrown us through yet another loop. One no one saw coming.
Frank Lampard, less than three months on from being sacked by Everton as they languished in the relegation zone, is returning to his former club Chelsea. He has agreed a deal in principle to return to Stamford Bridge on an interim basis until the end of the season.
It is yet another shock from Chelsea who will move on to their third manager of the campaign following the sackings of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter. Lampard himself has felt the woodcutter's swing as he was sacked by the club he enjoyed so much success with on the pitch in January 2021. He hasn't seemed to add much to his managerial approach in the two years since but will get another bite of the cherry as Todd Boehly continues his manic dictatorship. But how does this impact Manchester United?
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Chelsea are down in 11th place, 14 points off fourth, and so are not a fellow competitor for a spot in the top four. The two teams do still have to face each other but it won't be until late in May and if United have done their jobs then the match shouldn't have too much riding on it. But where Lampard's arrival could harm United is in the club's hunt for a quality midfielder in the summer.
Though an elite-level striker is United's top priority for the summer transfer window, Erik ten Hag would also like to add another top-quality midfielder to his ranks. First-choice duo Casemiro and Christian Eriksen have been a driving force behind the side's transformation but both have been absent for big chunks of the campaign and are aged north of 30.
Marcel Sabitzer has done a great job since he came in but the drop in quality when Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek and usually Fred (though he has had some big performances) has been stark. United often look like a ship drifting hopelessly out to sea in the dark of night without an anchor when the duo, Casemiro especially, are unavailable.
So another world-class midfielder is needed. Jude Bellingham, of course, would be a sensational signing but that is a pipe dream. The likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid are bound to be interested as well and they are much more attractive propositions at present.
Another possible target of a similar calibre is Frenkie de Jong. Ten Hag is a big admirer of his former Ajax player and was desperate to sign him last summer. His fellow Dutchman wanted to stay at Barcelona, however, and that remains the case this time around. Signing him already looks impossible and United can't afford to wait for months again.
Not many possible alternatives of the same level have come to light or been highly touted just yet. But United could actually look to Chelsea for an option
Mason Mount has been linked with United as well as big names Liverpool and Bayern Munich, now managed by former boss Tuchel. There is so much interest surrounding a homegrown player who would usually be expected to remain at Chelsea because his contract is set to expire in 2024 and an extension is yet to be agreed.
It's reported Chelsea remain confident in tying him down but talks appear to have stalled as Mount wants his new deal to put him on par with the highest earners at the club. There are also reportedly stumbling blocks over the structure of pay with Chelsea looking to implement incentive-driven clauses and a reduction if the club don't make the Champions League. Something that will almost certainly happen unless they implausibly win it again this year.
If a new deal can't be struck before the summer, Chelsea may well look to cash in rather than risk losing a sellable asset for nothing in 12 months' time. Which is where United come in.
Mount may be in a difficult patch of his career, hardly helped by the turbulent situation at Chelsea, but he is still a technically excellent and tactically savvy player that could fit into Ten Hag's team seamlessly. There's a reason he always stays in the starting XI regardless of who his boss is or why he keeps playing for England when there might be more exciting options: it's because he does all the great work that's hard to see and is able to follow detailed instructions to the letter.
It's easy to forget given he's been on the biggest stage for so long but he is still just 24 and has already achieved so much. He assisted the winning goal in the Champions League final, scored in the semis and quarters before it, played in several more finals for club and country and twice been named his club's player of the season.
If United can't compete for Bellingham and De Jong is off the table, Mount would be an excellent alternative. The only issue is, he could be about to get his mojo back. The England international has appeared for Lampard more than any other manager and has played some of his best football under him.
With Lampard back in the hot seat, Mount is almost guaranteed to start ahead of the glut of signings Chelsea have made and that assuredness could see him return to his best. If he makes crucial contributions in the rest of the season, Chelsea may see just how good of a player they have, relent to his demands and secure his future for the long term. Closing the door on another target for United.
There's a lot to laugh at Chelsea about and the return of Lampard is certainly one but it might hurt United more than expected.
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