Carrick Backs Mount to Stay at United After Champions League Clause Triggers Wage Spike

Michael Carrick has opted to retain Mason Mount at Manchester United, confident the playmaker remains valuable despite his stuttering spell at Old Trafford.

A contractual clause has sprung into life following the club's Champions League qualification, bumping Mount's salary by 25 per cent. Having earned £150,000 weekly this season, he now stands to pocket £187,500 per week going forward—a figure that could make offloading him extremely tricky in the transfer market.

The 26-year-old arrived from Chelsea in summer 2023 for £55 million but has been plagued by injuries across three campaigns, managing just 72 appearances. His output has been modest: seven goals and two assists, with limited involvement under Carrick's watch—just 203 minutes across seven games.

Speculation had mounted that United might cash in this summer with two years remaining on his contract. Yet the wage hike, coupled with Carrick's tactical thinking, appears to have settled the matter. According to reporting, the permanent boss values Mount's positional adaptability and believes it will serve his squad well across a four-competition season.

Recent evidence suggests there may be something to work with. Mount deputised in deep midfield during absences for Casemiro, notably impressing at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday. Recruiting a dedicated number six remains United's summer priority, but Carrick evidently sees Mount as a useful auxiliary option.

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness reckons the wage escalation has inadvertently created a problem. Speaking to Football Insider, he suggested Mount has become virtually unmovable, particularly given his performances to date.

"This appears to have been an oversight in the original deal," Wyness explained. "If a Champions League qualification clause genuinely takes him to £250,000 per week, that makes him almost unsellable given what he's delivered on the pitch."

He acknowledged Mount has shown glimpses of recovery but stressed he remains far removed from the exciting prospect who flourished at Stamford Bridge. "Carrick will need to extract his best form next season," Wyness added. "If he doesn't, Mount becomes essentially immovable at that salary level, left to run down his contract."