Erik ten Hag and Manchester United will love Jose Mourinho's Mason Mount verdict

Erik ten Hag is determined to sign Mason Mount this summer and past praise from Jose Mourinho might go some way to explaining why.

Mount's Chelsea future has become increasingly uncertain throughout this season, with the 24-year-old set to enter the final 12 months of his contract on July 1. Talks over a new deal have been ongoing for some time but have shown little progress as several Premier League sides circle.

United were among the first clubs to be interested in Mount, with Liverpool also keen on the England international. However, it is Ten Hag's side who have intensified their pursuit, tabling an offer worth up to £50million earlier this week after seeing an initial bid knocked back.

The bids have cemented United's place as frontrunners for the Chelsea academy graduate, with Ten Hag seemingly set on his target. The Dutchman is keen to add more technical quality to his midfield and Mount would do exactly that.

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One of the qualities Ten Hag admires most in a player is a deep tactical knowledge, with the Reds boss demanding his players be versatile both positionally and in terms of playing style. Mount is well regarded in both areas, with Mourinho highlighting the Chelsea star's qualities in the past.

"I believe he [Mount] is an attack-minded player, a creative player, but he has the tactical discipline," Mourinho told The Times in 2021. "Mount is a team player.

"We see him now with [Thomas] Tuchel coming from the sides, when with Frank [Lampard] he was more of a No.10. When they play with a back five he can be the third attacking player or the third midfield player.

"I think he is very, very intelligent on the pitch. From what I see,