Erik ten Hag has left Ruben Amorim with £60m Man United transfer gift that makes perfect sense

Mason Mount to Manchester United never really added up. But the former Chelsea man might, finally, have found his perfect place in their jigsaw after a £60million move to Old Trafford.

Describing the 36-cap England international is not so straightforward. Erik ten Hag saw enough in him to hand him the club's famous No.7 shirt previously worn by George Best, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo - while that list of legends who've gone before or after could go on (and on).

Mount in the No.7 was not a traditional fit, as such. Initially signed by Ten Hag as a partner for Casemiro in United's engine room, his best days - at his new team and Chelsea before that - have actually come in attacking quarters as the No.10 or while operating as one of two wider forwards either side of a lone striker.

ALSO READ: Injury news with return dates, including Mount

ALSO READ: Amorim's first words to United stars after arrival

That was part of the problem, as Ten Hag, United and Mount himself found out. The experiment with Mount in the double pivot didn't last too long last season - with the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo in that position serving as the final line in the sand and Mount's injury woes limiting his impact in other areas, too.

Between the setbacks, there were flashes, but not enough to do the unthinkable and dislodge Bruno Fernandes in the No.10 role. Ten Hag also, seemingly, preferred inverted forwards on their two flanks - with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho both preferring the left-hand side and the right remaining somewhat of a tactical issue.

Amad Diallo might well have something to say about that, particularly following his efforts over the last few days. However, with Ruud van Nistelrooy out the door, Ruben Amorim in and a significant formation change on the way, Mount is front and centre to, potentially, thrive in the midst of a shake-up.

Amorim has touched down at Carrington and there's fresh hope upon his arrival. The training ground images of him embracing Luke Shaw, Mainoo, Mount and others were a welcome sight for supporters.

Of course, that personal touch Ten Hag might have been lacking - at least in public anyway - is something that can be harnessed as a positive signal in-house and on the outside. Everyone, including Mount, has a fresh chance to put forward their case for a place in Amorim's plans and things might particularly take shape for fit-again Mount.

Much has been made about Amorim's 3-4-3 formation, and which current United players might fit where. That flags up question marks right across the board, not least in that front-three as the Portuguese opts whether to go with a couple of wider options or two out-and-out No.10s behind his main striker.

Rashford, Garnacho, Amad and Mount himself will be watching as closely as anyone in that regard. With Fernandes back in form, he's pretty much certain to start most (if not all) matches under his compatriot, but Mount might well see himself as the most natural fit to join Fernandes at the front of what is a midfield box.

Typically, in his Sporting CP days, Amorim would operate with two No.10s who can provide width on occasion but, first and foremost, that responsibility falls upon the wing-back on each side. Fernandes, and one other, will need to serve as a crucial link between defence, midfield and attack.

Mount, meanwhile, starred in a similar role for Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea. That allowed him to combine his running capacity, pressing/defensive nous and underrated attacking output in the perfect position; particularly alongside a No.10 who boasts a little more natural flair and creativity; Kai Havertz before and Fernandes potentially now.

Ten Hag's transfer policy was clear, if underwhelming and heavily contested. However, the one that didn't make all that much sense at the time might actually prove to be his greatest parting gift.