Mason Mount: How Manchester United persuaded him to move to Old Trafford

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