Manchester United felt that Mason Mount was a Manchester United player from the first time that they made contact with the Chelsea midfielder. There had been a similar feeling when the club’s representatives met Raphael Varane in 2021 and Casemiro last year.
“Great lad, great attitude and ability,” one United source told The National. “He was desperate to join us and he’s desperate to win.” United were impressed, more so because Mount knew that both Liverpool and Arsenal were interested in signing him, too.
Jurgen Klopp was a long-time admirer of Mount and made it clear and that he would be interested in signing him. And Klopp had seen enough of him to know his energy: Mount played 120 minutes against Liverpool in both the 2022 FA Cup and League Cup finals.
Klopp wasn’t alone. Mikel Arteta wasn’t only an admirer, he thought Mount would sign for Arsenal and stay in London.
So why did the player who grew up in Portsmouth, southern England, sign for United?
United manager Erik ten Hag was a major factor. The Dutchman spoke in detail with the 24-year-old England international about how he could help develop him as a player. He talked about the different positions which he could play – and at the top level too. They had common ground. Both had worked in the Netherlands, where Mount played on loan for Vitesse in Arnhem, close to Enschede, where Ten Hag grew up and managed. Both had triumphed at Real Madrid away, Ten Hag as a manager in 2019 and Mount as player in 2022 when he put Chelsea ahead and made an assist in 3-2 away win.
Ten Hag pushed for Mount, saw him as a player younger than most of his midfielders who would give him multiple tactical options since Mount can play in seven different roles, though he’s best centrally. Ten Hag liked his energy and his work ethic; does that mean he’ll play in a deeper midfield role alongside Casemiro? Ten Hag was also impressed by the number of games he’d played for Chelsea: 53, 54 and 53 before a dip last season to 35. He’d also scored eight, nine and thirteen goals in the seasons where he was a Chelsea mainstay.
An England international with 35 caps, Mount had other admirers at United including Darren Fletcher, but Ten Hag was his biggest fan and given the chaos at Chelsea, United felt there was a better chance of getting him than their attempt to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona a year ago.
Manchester United 2022/23 ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED 2022/23 SEASON RATINGS: GOALKEEPERS: David de Gea 6.5: Started all 38 league games and kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper, made numerous key saves, yet his mistakes are highlighted more. His presence in the team now divides fans, as does whether he should sign a new contract or be moved on. AP -
Tom Heaton 7: Second-choice goalkeeper for much of the season, which frustrated him as he felt he deserved to play more. Always professional and valued in the dressing room, the 37-year-old played well in two League Cup games, keeping a clean sheet and helping United towards Wembley. Getty -
DEFENDERS: Aaron Wan Bissaka 7: Barely figured before the festive period when his United future looked bleak, especially after a horror opening 15 minutes in a Cadiz friendly. Much better as the season went on and became first-choice full-back again. Excellent defensively, can still be suspect with his final ball going forward. EPA -
Diogo Dalot 7: First-choice right-back in the first half of the season as he started the first 15 league games, the 24-year-old was suspended then injured in November and came back a lesser player in February. Signed a new contract last week, which he deserves, but the right-back position remains an issue for Ten Hag. AP -
Victor Lindelof 6.5: Injured at the start of season then unable to break into the side but then played in 90 minutes in all of the last nine games – and performed well. Needed when Martinez was injured and selected over Maguire by a manager who rates him. Getty -
Harry Maguire 6: His worst season at United and probably in his pro career. Lost his place after the Brentford debacle and played second fiddle to others but didn’t actually play badly when in the team. Always spoke in a dignified manner, but footballers like to play football and he’s not getting enough at United. Getty -
Lisandro Martinez 8.5: Superb first season in England for the Argentine World Cup winner. Hammered for his height after a walloping at Brentford, he proved just about every doubter wrong with his fearless performances. The 25-year-old fractured a metatarsal against Sevilla. How costly that would prove. Became a cult hero among fans. Getty -
Raphael Varane 8: World-class defender who, like Casemiro, won it all at Real Madrid and lives up to his status most weeks. Only worry is how many games he can play – 22/38 league games is hardly the rock to build a team on. Tactically and technically peerless, he’s also calm, fast, aggressive and comfortable against the best sides. Remains a key player for United. PA -
Luke Shaw 7.5: Raises his game when his position is under threat. He was deservedly dropped after the two opening defeats and had to work his way back into the side ahead of new signing Malacia. Became a key United player. Powerful and attack-minded, he also performed well as a central defender, but left-back is where he excels. PA -
Tyrell Malacia 6.5: New signing from Feyenoord who didn’t wait long to show what he could do. His lack of experience became apparent over games though and he lost his place to Shaw. A creditable first season and it is a positive that he’s there to push first-choice left-back Shaw. Getty -
MIDFIELDERS: Fred 7: Only 12 league starts for the Brazilian as Casemiro and Eriksen took his place. Became a key player coming off the bench, bringing energy and a surprisingly high six goals. Disappointing season for him, yet contained some of his greatest moments as a United player – a goal against Barcelona and another belter in a magnificent October match against Spurs. AFP -
Casemiro 8.5: One of the best midfielders in the world and how he showed it. A key player throughout the season, the cement between the bricks in the eyes of his boss. Brings balance, closes spaces, breaks up play, assists, scores and better than anyone in the air. His seven goals were a bonus. Will hopefully learn from the two silly red cards that cost him and his team in the spring. AFP -
Christian Eriksen 7.5: Impressive season for the creative Dane. It was interrupted after he picked up a serious injury in January, but thankfully returned from by April. A creator capable of passing between the lines, the 31-year-old only scored twice, but showed his value with 10 assists. Getty -
Scott McTominay 6.5: Started season well, but lost his place in the side to Casemiro, which is nothing to be ashamed of. Aged 26, United could get a significant fee for him and that could happen this summer. A good Premier League standard footballer who could perform at a top-half side every week. A world-class midfielder for Man United? That would bring a different answer. Getty -
Bruno Fernandes 8: Started in an incredible 58 games and remained mostly injury-free. Moany and motivated, he scored an impressive 14 times (and picked up 12 yellow cards). A versatile leader who takes responsibility, he was comfortable with the penalty in the FA Cup final and likely to be United’s captain next season. PA -
Marcel Sabitzer 6.5: A January loan from Bayern Munich to cover for the injured Eriksen, Sabitzer’s two first-half goals against Sevilla were his highlight, but, like his time at the club, they didn’t have a happy ending. Missed the final games of the season to injury, but professional throughout. Leaves with best wishes. Reuters -
ATTACKERS: Jadon Sancho 6: Started well but then had an awful game in Europa League in Cyprus where he looked shot of confidence. Left out of the side, sent to the Netherlands to get him back into a place where he could play for Manchester United again and that happened. Is it unrealistic to expect much more than six league goals and three assists from a player who promised so much and cost so much? No. Getty -
Antony 7: Arrived with a huge fee from Ajax. Started 39 games and scored eight goals. Needs to score more, assist more, be less predictable and be a greater danger closer to goal. PA -
Cristiano Ronaldo 5: Didn’t want to be at the club but sent mixed messages to Ten Hag who asked him straight. A negative influence in the dressing room and the mood (and results) improved when he departed. Featured in 16 games and scored three. One of the greatest players ever, just not this season. PA -
Marcus Rashford 9: The 30-goal tally says it all. Where would United have been without those goals from a team over-reliant on a player who plays out left. Despondent last season, a full pre-season and a manager right behind him helped him perform all season. Needs a goalscorer alongside him and he could be even better. Player of the season. Getty -
Antony Martial 6: Eleven league starts isn’t enough. Nor is it surprising for a player whose career is badly afflicted by injury. The maddening thing is that when he plays United look a better side with him linking plays and his nine goals from only 17 starts across all competitons is no bad statistic. Getty -
Alejandro Garnacho 8: Breakthrough star who gets fans off their seats. Scored five goals, most notably the winner at Fulham in the final game before the World Cup finals. He’s not short of confidence and still has much to learn but he’s only 18 and has plenty of time to do that. Getty -
Facundo Pellistri 6: Started only one game and came on in nine others – where he usually made an impact by running at opponents and crossing. The Uruguayan international, 21, is a bright prospect. PA -
Wout Weghorst 6: He huffed and he puffed and he brought the ball down, the January loan signing was a goalscorer who doesn’t score, but he was affordable, gettable and fitted into Erik ten Hag’s system when he needed a striker after the departure of Ronaldo. Far from the standard of a top United striker, but he was available when others weren’t. EPA -
MANAGER: Erik ten Hag 8: Impressive first season for the Dutch manager with a trophy and a third-place finish. Going out limply to Sevilla stung, but he handled the big decisions well, especially concerning Ronaldo. A disciplinarian with a human touch, he’s no-nonsense and comfortable with the demands of being in charge of a huge club. Needs to be backed so he can continue to improve United. PA
United also knew that it would be difficult to get Mount out of Stamford Bridge. They had found the same problem when they expressed an interest in Christian Pulisic a year ago. United were keen to sign the USA international, and the player was open to a move to Old Trafford, but Chelsea were reluctant to sell to a direct rival. Chelsea, under new owners, began stock-piling players, many of whom were unhappy with their lack of playing time, but, with Financial Fair Play Rules a factor after the London club's huge outlay of more than £600 million in the previous two transfer windows, meant it could be slightly easier this time to lure Mount away.
But dealing with Chelsea was always the issue. The Blues knew Mount was popular with fans and staff, a homegrown hero who had won the Champions League age 21. He played 80 minutes of that 2021 final against Manchester City. He also started in the game when Chelsea were crowned world champions six months later in Abu Dhabi against Palmeiras.
After protracted negotiations, the 24-year-old passed his medical and signed for a £55 million fee, with the potential of £5 million in add-ons which are strongly dependent on United being successful. United would need to win multiple trophies over the coming seasons with Mount playing the majority of the games. Chelsea wanted £70 million, but, knowing that Mount only had a year left on his contract and that he wanted to move to Old Trafford, United held the line on not going above the £55 million fee. It was finally agreed, with Mount signing a five-year contract. He will also receive a significant pay rise.
Many at Chelsea, from the staff to the fans, are hugely disappointed that Mount has left the club. An academy graduate who has twice been the club’s player of the season, who’d made more Premier League appearances than anyone at Chelsea since his debut, more chances and assists created too. He’s now been sold to a direct rival.
Mount initially wanted to stay at Chelsea, but was one of the lowest paid members of the first team and felt he deserved a bigger contract. His agent asked for parity with some of the other established Chelsea players. When Chelsea didn’t oblige, Mount and his agent began to consider other suitors. They should be pleased with the outcome, while United hope to reap the benefit from what they believe is Chelsea’s miscalculation of Mount’s worth.
