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?