In the Wembley sunshine it was a tiring exercise just watching Manchester United's midfield, never mind playing in it. Against Manchester City's metronomic treble winners, the players in red couldn't get close for large periods of the game.
If the cup final was the moment Erik ten Hag went from lukewarm to cold on David de Gea, maybe it was also the moment the idea of signing another midfielder crystallised in his mind. United's starters that day were Casemiro, 31, Christian Eriksen, 31, and Fred, 30. Bruno Fernandes, on the wing at Wembley, turns 29 in September. United's midfield was experienced, but it was also ageing.
The addition of Eriksen on a free transfer last summer was a shrewd bit of business, but he looked to tire as the season went on and, either side of the ankle injury that kept him out for three months, probably started more than expected. So while a striker looked like the top priority this summer and a goalkeeper has become a pressing issue, an injection of energy in midfield was also vital and they don't get much more energetic than Mason Mount. The 24-year-old will lower the average age of that area of the pitch for United.
Mount fits the bill as a Ten Hag player in terms of his industry and his ability to press. The United manager was taken by the then 18-year-old during his loan spell with Vitesse Arnhem in 2017/18 and tried to borrow him for Ajax the following season. Five years on, he finally has his man.
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Ten Hag spent most of last summer fixated on Frenkie de Jong, a midfielder he felt would connect his team but who proved unattainable. Casemiro has shored up the midfield, but a little extra quality was necessary.
As Mount's manager during his campaign in the Eredivisie, Henk Fraser, said: "It may be a strange comparison, but Mason is very similar to Johan Cruyff. He is wiry, watery and so fast at the ball and in his head that he never actually enters the duels. Just like Frenkie de Jong."
United deserve credit for coming to an agreement with Chelsea at the fourth time of asking, one that seems to suit both parties. They will pay £55million, with a further £5million in add-ons that are heavily dependent on appearances and success. They're so difficult to achieve that United would actually be delighted if they had to cough up the full amount.
Mount will sign a five-year contract once he completes his move next week and United have got a deal over the line in time for the start of pre-season training. Having missed the June international break, the midfielder will be among the early arrivals at Carrington.
This transfer was the one considered the easiest to do for United, due to Mount's contractual situation and his desire to make the move. Now attention turns to other areas of the pitch.
The deal has cut in half United's estimated budget of £120million, which makes sales absolutely essential now. Fred could leave and there remains interest in Scott McTominay from elsewhere in the Premier League.
Sales will be critical if Ten Hag is to get what he wants. A striker is vital, but it seems certain it won't be Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen. Shopping from the B-list of targets is going to be fraught with danger.
Then there is the goalkeeping situation to solve. Today could be De Gea's final day as a United player. But maybe not, the club still haven't made a decision.
They have an interest in Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana but a week before pre-season training begins, De Gea, Dean Henderson or Onana could be No. 1 next season. Or somebody else entirely. The picture is murky.
At least the image of Ten Hag's midfield has become clearer. There are options for rotation now, but Casemiro, Mount and Fernandes will surely be the trio chosen to start the season.
