‘He’ll be a hero like Cantona’ - Mason Mount’s boyhood coaches detail why he will thrive at Manchester United

If it takes a village to raise a child then perhaps it takes a city to nurture a Premier League footballer.

One theme that runs throughout Mason Mount’s career is the praise he has received for his character. Hard-working, humble and, above all, dedicated.

Those type of characteristics are embedded at an early age and it’s only when you rewind that you discover the bedrock that provided the platform for Mount to thrive on.

“His dedication his family - what a family, they’ve put in as much time in,” Kevin Neal, Mount’s first ever football coach at Boarhunt Rovers FC, tells the Manchester Evening News.

Want to join our MUFC Pro club for a totally ad-free version of the MEN’s Man United app packed with premium features? Click here

ALSO READ: United captain Fernandes opens up on Mason Mount relationship

“His dad’s a great advisor to him and his grandad is an inspiration. They’re all one unit and they’re all so humble, they deserve it, they’ve worked just as hard.”

Mount’s father, Tony, was a non-league footballer who went on to manage Havant Town FC - now called Havant & Waterlooville - who compete in the sixth tier of the football pyramid. One person who knows him well is Bob Brady of United Services Portsmouth FC (USP).

The ex-Navy serviceman is somewhat of a club legend having first played for them in 1975 and is today their secretary. He says Tony tried to sign him a few times during his playing career. Bob set up the youth system at USP in 2002 and a number of years later, he had a future England international on his books.

“The family as a whole were very forthright, they wanted to do things the right way,” he says when explaining Mount's early years to to MEN Sport. “Mason was very grounded even in those