Mason Mount chapter II

Mason Mount was one of the disappointments of last season. Injury problems that Manchester United did not say much about in their medical reports meant that he made just 20 appearances, eight of them starts. It was the kick-start to his career at Old Trafford, which had been blessed by a transfer fee of 64.2 million euros well received by Chelsea's coffers.

The midfielder agreed to leave the club where he grew up after 18 years in their colours. Signing one of the brightest youngsters from a direct rival raised expectations among the Red Devils fans, but the gamble, correctly planned, did not work out as calculated from the offices. The Englishman, in fact, lost his international status ahead of the European Championship that Spain ended up winning against the Three Lions in the final.

The former Vitesse and Derby County player was at least able to enjoy a few minutes in the FA Cup final that the Old Trafford outfit snatched from local rivals Manchester City. In doing so, he experienced precisely what Erik ten Hag's project needs to work in the long term, an exercise of faith to which the bosses have been faithful by renewing their coach and surrounding him with like-minded talent.

The feeling with Mason Mount is that he will be a key part of this new Manchester United. In pre-season friendlies, he started against Rosenborg, Rangers and Arsenal. Against the Scots, he even provided an assist. However, in the head-to-head against Real Betis, he was relegated to the bench, although this is understandable because only four days had passed since his previous performance.

 

July 31, 2024

There is every reason to believe that this new year in the Premier League will place him in the headlines. In his best season with Chelsea, he scored 13 goals and provided 16 assists in 53 games in 21-22. He is also aware that he will be playing for a return to the national team now that Gareth Southgate is no longer in charge, so he is at the ideal point at which to catch the eye of his replacement.

Two other issues propel him to the front row of the Red Devils. The first is a financial one. With a contract until 2028, his market value has, quite reasonably, been reduced to 46.8 million euros, or about 20 less than what was invested in him. The owners need to see a link between budgets and the pitch. The second reason to pay attention to him is precisely along these lines: there have been several injuries at the start of the season - Leny Yoro is the most painful because he cost 62 million euros from Lille - and the institution's board is looking for arguments to defend the fact that this plan has taken away the chances of success from their project.

The first chance for this United and Mount to vindicate themselves will be for the Community Shield. The opponent is the worst possible, a City side who will be out for revenge after their defeat in the FA Cup the previous season. However, the psychological aspect is not as crucial as the technical one: the Red Devils need to show and prove that they can beat the Sky Blues once again, who have dominated the most recent editions of the Premier League.