Mason Mount: What can the new Manchester United signing bring to the team?
After weeks of waiting, Manchester United have officially announced the signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea in a deal worth £60 million.
The 24-year-old England international signed a five-year deal with the Red Devils with the option of a further year, making him the first signing of this summer transfer window for manager Erik ten Hag.
United fans have grown frustrated by the club’s lack of transfer activity compared to other rivals such as Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool who have been busy purchasing and offloading players surplus to requirements.
Man Utd officially announce the signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea for a fee of £60 million on a five-year deal with an option for another year.
The Red Devils finally get their man!!!#MUFC #Mount #transfers #CFC #Afrosport pic.twitter.com/yukMgJfcys
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) July 5, 2023
Such has not been the case at Old Trafford which is possibly tied to the club’s takeover away from the Glazer family keeping things muted. Added to that, some fans are not pleased with Mount’s purchase mainly owing to the £60 million fee paid for his services. Some believe a player with a year left to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge should be costing less, referencing Tottenham Hotspur’s £40 million purchase of James Maddison from relegated Leicester City.
While having concerns about the move is justifiable, it is worth noting that Mount is still very young at the age of 24. Also, Man United negotiated the deal as Chelsea originally valued him at over £100 million and were looking to collect £80 million. Saving up to £40 million is therefore good business for United as it could be invested in another new recruit, with the club currently working on getting Cameroon and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, a face that Ten Hag is familiar with during his days at Ajax Amsterdam.
Away from being a bargain signing, Mount is a top-quality player. He has been Chelsea’s best player since he made his first-team debut in 2019, making the most apperances (129), starts (111), minutes played (9,784), goals (27), assists (22) and chances created (227). He also comes to the club as a winner, lifting three titles including the UEFA Champions League in 2021 in Porto where he laid the pass that led to Havertz’s winning goal. He is also a regular with the England national team with 36 caps and five goals to his name.
Mason Mount has been a top performer for Chelsea since his debut in 2019.
With his move to Man Utd completed, will he deliver for the Red Devils or will he end up like one of the many other stars who didn't live up to their hype?#MUFC #CFC #Mount #transfers #FansConnect pic.twitter.com/LYIXA0mRs3
— Fans Connect Club (@fansconnectclub) July 5, 2023
Asides from this, Mount is a very versatile player that can offer dynamism on the pitch thanks to his brilliant passing, finishing, shot accuracy and set-piece prowess, not forgetting his defensive awareness. These are the kind of features Ten Hag needs in a player as he continues to rebuild the team to become more consistent and formidable.
Ten Hag’s insistence on wanting Mount is a sign the Dutch tactician knows the exact player profile that fits the team despite the limited funds at the club’s disposal. He can get the best out of the team and Mount might just be the right fit to elevate United even further and better last season’s fourth-place finish in the Premier League and cup success in the EFL Cup.
