Bruno Fernandes ‘stopped’ Man Utd signing James Maddison over Mason Mount

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Football Digest: Man Utd urged to give Ten Hag time he needs

James Maddison has arguably been the Premier League’s best player since joining Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, helping Ange Postecoglou’s side set the pace. Spurs surprisingly had a free run at Maddison’s signature after Leicester City’s relegation, which no club may regret more than Manchester United.

The 26-year-old playmaker has made his mark in north London, registering three goals and five assists in his first 11 Tottenham appearances.

His £40million price tag looks to be a bargain, especially if Spurs maintain their current status as Premier League leaders with 26 points from their opening 10 games.

Erik ten Hag entered the summer transfer market eyeing an attack-minded midfielder despite Bruno Fernandes’ importance and a lack of quality competition for Casemiro.

He landed on Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, who had just one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge. That didn’t stop United from splashing £60m to lure him to Old Trafford.

Mount demanded a higher transfer fee than Maddison, even though he enjoyed an inferior season than the former Foxes man in 2022/23.

But there was reportedly a reason United didn’t consider Maddison – a self-proclaimed boyhood supporter of the club – a viable target before Tottenham snapped him up.

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According to the Manchester Evening News, senior United figures believed Maddison was too identical to Fernandes, who Ten Hag planned to replace Harry Maguire as club captain.

Such a stance makes the Mount deal more confusing, though, considering the 24-year-old has spent most of his career in the same attacking role as Fernandes.

There remains optimism that Mount will come good over time at United. He’s still shaking off a disastrous final season at Chelsea, which ultimately soured his relationship with fans.

And Ten Hag’s decision to hand him the No 7 shirt indicates how highly he is rated within the Old Trafford walls. He may even be viewed as Fernandes’ long-term successor.

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United needed signings to improve Ten Hag’s team immediately in the summer, though. Andre Onana will likely do that once the Dutchman’s outfield issues are solved.

But the £72m splurged on Rasmus Hojlund was an investment for the future more than anything, given the 20-year-old Dane’s lack of experience.

Mount is an established Premier League and international footballer, winning the Champions League and earning 36 caps for England.

Therefore, he must start to show why United ignored Maddison’s availability to make him their first recruit of the window.

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