Opinion: Mount can scale new heights at United

Given he had been at Chelsea from a very young age, and had become such a key component of their side, it never really crossed my mind that he could one day end up at Old Trafford.

Yet, this is football, and Erik ten Hag has landed a player he views as ideal for his system and who will probably be endearing himself to the Reds’ faithful in no time.

There has been much to admire about the production line at Cobham and Mount has been one of the main role models for the Chelsea Academy, pushing through to make his mark at a club that has not been shy of regularly signing big-money talent from across the globe.

 

1 - Since the start of the 2019-20 campaign, Mason Mount leads all Chelsea players for...

Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Shots
Shots on Target
Chances Created
Chances Created in Open Play
Big Chances Created
Touches in the Opp Box
Passes/Crosses Into the Box

Influence. pic.twitter.com/MfRX5ivwL0

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 30, 2023

The fact Mount really made a name for himself during two loan spells, at Vitesse Arnhem (where Erik first came across him) and Derby County, spoke volumes for his character, as well as his potential. That part of the development plan worked perfectly when he returned to nail down a place in the Blues’ side.

Not only did he soon become a Chelsea regular in the 2019/20 season, after making his debut in a 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford, he also progressed to the senior England set-up and, again, took it all in his stride. Adapting to Premier League and international level so seamlessly is an indication of any youngster’s ability and he clearly has this in abundance.

Hugely popular with his managers, for his tactical intelligence and flexibility, and supporters, for his willingness to connect in addition to his on-field contribution, it has been well documented that he was twice named Chelsea’s Player of the Year.

This is a man who started England’s biggest game in a generation, the European Championship final against Italy at Wembley, and has kept his place under Gareth Southgate despite some incredibly fierce competition.

Mount has scored against Real Madrid in the Champions League, home and away, and, of course, won the competition in 2020/21, providing the assist for Kai Havertz’s winner against Manchester City in the final.

So, most of all, our new no.7 arrives at Old Trafford with real pedigree, proven at the highest level. After turning 24 earlier this year, his peak years are still to come as United have secured a player about to enter his prime.

Mount has been hugely influential for Chelsea, at home and abroad, and for England at a time when the Three Lions are finally starting to compete for silverware. He is a modern footballer, well versed in following a manager’s instructions and facilitating a greater standard of overall team play with his clever movement, on and off the ball.

Classified as a home-produced player, he is of great value and will be determined to hit the ground running, with his England pals at Old Trafford helping him to settle. There should be few worries on this count, regardless, considering his experience of already playing for a club of the size and stature of Chelsea.

When Mount was scoring as part of a seriously strong team that knocked United out of the FA Youth Cup in early 2016, or even more so, when he netted against us in the Emirates FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in 2020, it was impossible to predict he would trade blue for red.

The fact is we will now get the best years of a proven performer, who should become just as popular as he was at Stamford Bridge, probably even more so.

The opinions in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Manchester United Football Club.