Mason Mount is optimistic about making a significant impact as Manchester United enters a crucial phase, following a season plagued by injuries at Old Trafford.
Great expectations surrounded the England international when Erik ten Hag succeeded in securing his signature, a player who seemed destined to spend his prime years at his childhood club.
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However, a prolonged contract dispute with Chelsea led Mount to make the tough decision to depart Stamford Bridge and seek a new challenge elsewhere.
At 25 years old, Mount had no shortage of potential suitors, with both Arsenal and Liverpool expressing interest in the midfielder.
In fact, negotiations with Arsenal progressed to a point where Mikel Arteta reportedly considered the deal a certainty, according to ESPN.
Ultimately, the allure of Manchester United proved irresistible, and after weeks of negotiations, Mount moved north following the meeting of Chelsea’s £55 million asking price.
Meanwhile, Arsenal and Liverpool bolstered their midfield ranks with signings like Kai Havertz and Alexis Mac Allister, decisions that have proven wise as the season unfolded.
Mount, who scored his debut goal for United in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Brentford, remains hopeful that he can turn around what has been a challenging first nine months in United’s colors.
After sustaining an injury early in his tenure with the club, Mount struggled to secure a regular starting spot in Ten Hag’s preferred lineup upon regaining fitness.
Another injury setback sidelined him for 21 consecutive matches, but his return could offer a timely boost to his manager ahead of crucial fixtures that could shape his future at the club.
Speaking before Thursday’s defeat, Ten Hag said of the midfielder: ‘He’s a fantastic football player but it’s important first that he is getting and keeping fit because he has had three injuries.
‘We have to do this carefully. The first objective is to keep him fit. Then he can benefit and contribute to the team like he did on Saturday when he had a big impact [scoring against Brentford].’
‘I am long enough in football to know and some of you should also understand why such things happen,’ Ten Hag added, reflecting on the 97th minute they conceded at Brentford that denied Mount his moment in the sun.
‘Sometimes you are not playing good but we are Manchester United, you have to win and you cannot give it away like we did, that was the biggest disappointment for me. We keep going.’
