According to the Manchester Evening News, in the first league match of the new season against Hull City, the Manchester United midfield will most likely start with Bruno Fernandes, Mount, and Santos.

After another impressive performance in the preseason, Manchester United fans have been full of praise for Mount. Mount's performance is not surprising. He was in good form at the end of last season, and before Manchester United officially started preseason training, he traveled overseas for individual extra training, which has been his consistent preparation method in recent years.

Since Carrick took over, Mount has consistently been deployed in a deeper midfield position. The 27-year-old has adapted seamlessly, combining accurate passing with defensive contributions, and his performance has been eye-catching.

Mount and Andre Santos have gradually formed a tacit understanding, and their cooperation complements each other. During a warm-up match in Norway, Mount said: "I've known Andre for a while. I've been following him since he broke into the Chelsea first team. I think he's a very good player."

"Although he's young, he's had several loan spells and has practical experience in the Premier League. He has a strong ability to read the game. His defensive attributes are stronger, and in the last two games, this has allowed me to push forward more and build attacks through him."

Mount praised Santos' defensive abilities and admitted that he enjoys playing in a deeper midfield position. He added: "Defensively, we are both keen to actively participate in tackles and win back possession, playing aggressively, so I feel very comfortable.

"I've played in this position for many, many years since I was a child, and I'm used to it. I love this position and I think I'm suited to playing here."

With the first league match against Hull City on August 22nd approaching, Carrick now faces a pleasant dilemma. Bruno Fernandes returned to the Carrington training base this week, and he is largely assured of a starting spot against Hull City at the end of the month, while the remaining two midfield starting spots will be competed for in the coming weeks.

Currently, Mount and Santos are the most likely candidates to start alongside Bruno. The advantage is that both players returned to training at the beginning of the preseason, regaining their competitive form and match rhythm earlier.

While ample match time is beneficial, more crucially, the two have seized the opportunity and delivered. In Santos' first match against Wrexham, some rustiness from being out of action was inevitable; however, he steadily improved in the matches against Rosenborg and Atletico Madrid.

Manchester United still has three preseason warm-up matches remaining this summer, against Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds United, and AC Milan. Tielemans arrived at Carrington last week and can play against PSG; Bruno returned this week and is also expected to travel with the team for that match.

The England team reached the World Cup semi-finals, so Kobbie Mainoo will return slightly later. However, the youngster will return in time to be included in the squad traveling to Dublin to face Leeds United.

Tielemans has three more warm-up matches to find his match fitness and impress Carrick in preparation for the Premier League opener; Mainoo, on the other hand, only has a maximum of two preseason matches to adjust.

All indications suggest that Carrick will most likely deploy a midfield combination of Santos, Mount, and Bruno in the first league round, while Tielemans and Mainoo will need to continue to improve their match fitness and competitive form.

Even if both are fully fit before the new season begins, Mount and Santos' performances in the first three warm-up matches are convincing enough to compete for the two midfield positions behind Bruno.

Last season, Carrick relied heavily on Bruno, Mainoo, and Casemiro. Now, Manchester United's midfield depth has significantly improved, and the club also plans to bring in another midfielder before the transfer window closes.

Tielemans' performance in the coming weeks will be a key focus. Compared to Mainoo, he returned to preseason preparation earlier, giving him a greater chance to snatch a starting spot from Santos or Mount in the first round. This difficult selection dilemma is precisely the "pleasant problem" Carrick hopes to have.

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