Man Utd's Mason Mount alternatives: Moises Caicedo & the six midfielders who would be a better fit for Erik ten Hag's side than Chelsea's contract rebel

There is a sense of deja vu about this one for United fans, who watched on in frustration last summer as United tried and failed to sign Adrien Rabiot after a drawn-out negotiation process. The two parties were ultimately unable to reach an agreement on personal terms, with the Frenchman staying in Turin for the final year of his contract.

Juventus endured a miserable 2022-23 season as a collective, finishing seventh in Serie A after being stung by a points penalty and exiting the Champions League at the group stage, but Rabiot excelled on an individual level. The 28-year-old recorded 11 goals and six assists in 48 appearances, the best numbers of his career to date, and it has been reported that he is now back on United's radar.

Rabiot, who also shone for France at the 2022 World Cup, has made it clear that the Premier League holds great appeal to him. "I have always said that I would like to play in England in my career," he said in December. "Will it be at the end of my contract? I don't know, but I have this goal."

Rabiot is an excellent ball carrier and boasts impressive physical attributes - standing at the imposing height of 6'2. He's strong, hard-working and adept when it comes to breaking up play and kick-starting attacks.

Casemiro could certainly use a midfield partner like Rabiot, and United can snap him up for nothing after June 30. That would mean Ten Hag potentially solving his problem in the middle of the park while saving funds for a new striker and goalkeeper. No-brainer.

United were one of several top European clubs to track Ryan Gravenberch while he was at Ajax, but Bayern Munich ended up winning the race for his signature last summer. The German champions snapped the midfielder up for just £16m, which felt like a bargain at the time, but his maiden year at Allianz Arena didn't go according to plan.

Gravenberch only started three Bundesliga games for Bayern last term as he toiled in vain for a regular starting berth under both Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel. The 21-year-old is already being linked with a move away from Bayern, after publically expressing his frustration over his role.

“I want to play more… preferably at Bayern," Gravenberch recently told De Telegraaf. "Otherwise at a club where I'll 100 percent play. That's my plan. I don't want to have another year like the one I've just had — I’ll speak to the coach in the next weeks then we will see."

GOAL has confirmed that Liverpool have been exploring a potential £25m swoop for Gravenberch, who remains ideally suited to the Premier League. At his best, he can turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye, and his ball distribution is top-notch.

United have also been credited with an interest in Gravenberch once again, and he might be tempted by a reunion with former Ajax boss Ten Hag. The United boss highlighted Gravenberch's qualities in his final year at Johan Cruyff ArenA, saying: “He's very important for our team because he's a box-to-box player. He accelerates out of positional play, does good dribbling, has tremendous passing ability and participates in the build-up play. Due to his athleticism and physique, he is also strong in the transition game and can also win the balls. He's come a long way, but can still learn a lot."

If a cut-price deal can be arranged with Bayern, Gravenberch could be a shrewd addition to United's ranks. He doesn't appear to have a future in Germany, but Ten Hag will know exactly how to bring the best out of him.

United had the opportunity to sign Moises Caicedo when he was still a teenager at Independiente del Valle in January 2021, but walked away from the deal due to concerns over agents' commissions and interference from intermediaries. Brighton swooped in to sign the Ecuador international for just £4.5m a few weeks later, and United have lived to regret their decision ever since.

Caicedo has developed into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium, and is now being valued in excess of £80m ($102m). Arsenal went all out to try and sign the 21-year-old in the winter transfer window, but Brighton held firm on their price tag.

It is now being reported that Chelsea and United are set to do battle for his signature, and the Red Devils may have a slight advantage if a bidding way erupts. “My dream is to play for Manchester United," Caicedo said in 2020. "Antonio Valencia is an example to follow. With his strength and dedication, he was able to get to that level. That motivates me to keep working hard and do the right things.”

It is highly likely that Caicedo would jump at the chance if United come calling again. And he could potentially be the final piece in Ten Hag's midfielder puzzle. The Brighton star is a master at regaining possession, as he rarely mistimes a tackle and has a knack for anticipating where the ball will drop. He is also a fierce competitor and can cover a lot of ground quickly, which is why he has been compared to outgoing Chelsea star N'Golo Kante.

Caicedo's presence could give United's attackers more freedom to do damage in the final third, and he'd be a vital shield in front of the defence. The Ecuador international will come at a high price, but he still has his whole career ahead of him, and would be worth the extra investment.

Like Gravenberch, Mohammed Kudus is another player that benefitted from Ten Hag's wisdom during the early stages of his career. The Ghana international was given his chance in the Ajax senior team by the Dutchman in 2020, and has since scored 23 goals for the club across 84 games, winning two Eredivisie titles and the KNVB Cup.

Kudus nailed down a starting spot at Ajax last season, and despite their downturn in form after Ten Hag's departure to United, he still managed to post his best Eredisivie scoring tally yet (11 goals). The 22-year-old still has two years left on his contract at the Johan Cruyff ArenA, but has reportedly turned down a new deal and wants a summer move.

Arsenal, Brighton and Newcastle have been mooted as potential next destinations for Kudus, but United are reportedly in pole position to sign him. The Ten Hag factor could be key, as he hailed the former Ajax boss for aiding his development in an interview with Algemeen Dagblad in December. “In his style of play, creative and attacking, I saw myself," said Kudus. ">It was exactly in line with my personal qualities and how I wanted to develop.”

Kudus typically operates as a right-winger, but he has the versatility to adapt to different systems. United could utilize his talents in an attacking midfield role, and he has far more to offer than Mount given his pace, strength and impressive dribbling skills.

It has been reported that Ajax could let Kudus go for around £40m ($51m), but there is a risk of United being squeezed for far more. The Red Devils had to fork out almost £150m ($191m) to bring Antony and Lisandro Martinez to the club last summer, and the Eredivisie giants might not take kindly to another raid for one of their top talents.

But Kudus could slot straight into Ten Hag's line-up, perhaps as a direct replacement for Antony, who flattered to deceive in his debut season with United. Dutch legend Marco van Basten certainly believes there is a gulf in class between the two men, as he told Ziggo Sport in February: “I find Mohammed Kudus a much better football player than Antony. Kudus has much better technique and he knows what he is doing. He is much more of a footballer, you can place him anywhere on the pitch, an all-rounder for the team. He’s more fun to watch play.”

If United are determined to go with a Premier League-proven option, they could do far worse than Fulham's new cult hero Joao Palhinha. The Portuguese midfielder arrived at Craven Cottage from Sporting CP for £20m ($24m) last summer, committing to a five-year contract.

Despite the notable transfer fee, few could have predicted just how big an impact Palhinha would make on the Premier League in his first season. Fulham were among the early favourites for relegation after sealing promotion as Championship winners in 2021-22, but they ended up in 10th place in the top flight as Marco Silva continued to implement an attractive, free-flowing brand of football.

And they couldn't have done it without Palhinha doing the dirty work in the middle of the park. The 27-year-old is a superb all-round defensive player and his relentless desire to win the ball back has been invaluable to Fulham.

“I think this characteristic was born with me," he told The Times when discussing his style of play last December. "Even when I was younger, I had more anger [determination] to recover the ball. Sometimes it’s more special for me to do a really good tackle in the first minutes than score a goal. Even more here, because the supporters in England like that.”

United are reportedly among the teams now weighing up a swoop for Palhinha, with Fulham said to be demanding an ambitious figure of £90m ($114m). Agreeing to pay such a lofty fee would be bad business for the Red Devils, but there will surely be room for negotiation.

If Palhinha could be acquired for around the same price Chelsea are demanding for Mount, United should consider a deal. The potential pairing of him and Casemiro would strike fear into the opposition, and give Ten Hag's side a stronger base to build from in the biggest matches.

Last but by no means least is Bayern Munich enforcer Leon Goretzka. Another player that has long been linked to United, the Germany international has been one of the most consistent performers in the Bayern ranks over the past few years, helping them win 13 major trophies.

However, he saw his role in the team reduced following Tuchel's arrival at the Allianz Arena in March, and it has been suggested that Bayern could cash in this summer. United could even snap him up for a bargain fee, with Bayern also in the market for a new central midfielder.

Goretzka seems to be surplus to requirements at the Bundesliga champions, but he could enjoy a new lease of life at Old Trafford. The 28-year-old would be a guaranteed starter for Ten Hag, as he is versatile enough to play in several different positions.

He is at his most effective when deployed as a No.6, though, and his tireless work-rate makes him a valuable asset in both attack and defence. Goretzka is a pressing monster, and he links the play quickly and efficiently while also offering a scoring threat with his late runs into the box.

For his part, Goretzka doesn't seem to be interested in leaving Bayern. When quizzed on a possible switch to United amid his lack of minutes at Allianz Arena, the Germany international recently told Sport 1: "I have no other plans than staying at Bayern. Competition in the squad is a basic prerequisite for the success of FC Bayern. Those responsible are fulfilling their duty to question everything."

However, that could change if Tuchel lands his summer targets, with Bayern thought to be in the market for West Ham star Declan Rice and Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong. Goretzka is too good to sit on the bench for an entire season.

He'd bring bags of quality and experience to the United team and supporters would love his destructive, all-action style of play. And Goretzka would certainly have no problems adapting to the physical demands of the Premier League.

Now could be the perfect time for him to try a new challenge abroad, with United currently in a strong position to return to the very top of the game. Watch this space.