Mason Mount is optimistic about making a difference during Manchester United’s crucial end of the season after a challenging first year at Old Trafford.
There were high expectations for the England player after Erik ten Hag managed to sign a player who seemed destined to stay at his childhood club.
Mount had a long-standing contract dispute with Chelsea, but he decided to leave Stamford Bridge and take on a new challenge.
The 25-year-old had several clubs interested, including Arsenal and Liverpool.
According to ESPN, talks with Arsenal were so advanced that Mikel Arteta was telling his coaches that the deal was as good as done.
However, Mount ended up choosing United, and after a lengthy negotiation, he moved north once Chelsea's £55million asking price was met.
Arsenal and Liverpool later strengthened their midfields with players like Kai Havertz and Alexis Mac Allister, which has proven to be a good decision as the season progressed.
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Mount scored his first goal for United in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Brentford, and he hopes to have enough time left to make a positive impact in what has been a challenging first nine months at United.
After getting injured in only his second game for the club, Mount struggled to secure a starting position in Ten Hag’s preferred XI after recovering from his injury.
He missed 21 consecutive matches due to another injury, but his return could give his manager a much-needed boost ahead of a crucial set of fixtures that could determine his future at the club.
Speaking before Thursday’s visit to Mount’s old stomping ground, Ten Hag said of the midfielder: ‘He’s an excellent footballer but it’s crucial that he stays fit because he has had three injuries.
‘We have to handle this with caution. The main goal is to keep him fit. Then he can make a difference and contribute to the team, as he did on Saturday when he made a big impact [scoring against Brentford].’
Reflecting on the 97th-minute goal they conceded at Brentford that denied Mount his moment of glory, Ten Hag said, ‘I have been in football long enough to know and some of you should understand why these things happen.'
‘Sometimes you are not playing well, but we are Manchester United, so we have to win and can't afford to give it away like we did. That was the biggest disappointment for me. We must keep going.’
