Manchester United are set to sign Mason Mount this summer after finally agreeing a deal with Chelsea which will see them pay an initial £55m fee.
That could rise to £60m with add-ons and Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag appears to have a clear plan for Mount, who will strengthen his midfield options considerably. Mount's versatility is a huge asset and his impending arrival could lead to a number of other midfielders leaving Old Trafford.
The likes of Scott McTominay, Fred and Donny van de Beek have all been linked with exits and could be sold once Mount officially joins. According to the Athletic, Ten Hag was desperate to sign a new No. 8 this summer, wanting an 'energetic midfielder who can excel in both the defensive and attacking work' and Mount fits that bill.
Here, Mirror Football takes a look at three ways United could line up next season with Mount.
Replacing Eriksen
Perhaps the most simple option is Mount replacing Christian Eriksen in the centre of the park, partnering the more defensive-minded Casemiro while Bruno Fernandes continues as the No. 10.
Eriksen enjoyed an impressive debut season at Old Trafford are joining on a free transfer from Brentford, but he is in his 30s and Mount is a younger option who also has plenty of top-level experience. After suffering an ankle injury in January, Eriksen was out of action for around three months and did not have the same impact when he returned.
Marcel Sabitzer was signed on loan from Bayern Munich to provide some cover, but Ten Hag was unable to settle on a preferred replacement for Eriksen and even dropped Fernandes deeper at one point with the Portuguese international partnering Casemiro on several occasions while Eriksen was injured.
Mount at No. 10
Although Fernandes has been a mainstay as United's No. 10 since joining the club in January 2020, his role could change when Mount arrives at Old Trafford.
At Chelsea, Mount was most commonly used as a No. 10 and Ten Hag may look to deploy him in a similar way. Should that happen, Fernandes could find himself either dropping deeper or even moving out wide having played there before for United.
A deeper central midfield role would appear to be the most likely option, given Fernandes has regularly played that role on the international stage for Portugal. Under new head coach Roberto Martinez, who took charge after the World Cup, Fernandes has typically partnered Fulham star Joao Palhinha as part of a midfield two and he could reprise the role for United alongside Casemiro - allowing Mount to become the new No. 10.
Formation change
Ten Hag has typically played a 4-2-3-1 formation since taking charge of United last summer, but that could change to accommodate Mount.
In order for both Mount and Fernandes to thrive creatively, Ten Hag could deploy them both as No. 8's with Casemiro behind them to do the dirty work. Mount may have struggled last season with injury, but in the previous campaign he was excellent as he made 29 goal contributions in all competitions.
Speaking back in March, England boss Gareth Southgate hailed Mount's creativity, saying: "He is an exceptional player, he finds space intelligently, he manipulates the ball very well, he creates chances and he scores goals." And alongside Fernandes, who has made 118 goal contributions in 185 games since joining United, Ten Hag will have a very dangerous midfield at his disposal.
