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6 months ago
39 Mason Mount’s blockbuster move to Manchester United last summer left fans surprised that he’d decided to draw the curtains on his 18-year Chelsea career for a fierce Premier League rival.
It’s since been nothing short of dismal for the midfielder, who has endured some absolutely torrid luck on the injury front across the majority of the campaign.
Mount featured for just two matches before sustaining an issue that kept him sidelined for five matches, one being United’s high-stakes Champions League opener away to Bayern Munich.
He went on to feature sporadically upon his return, making three starts before dropping to the bench for the subsequent six matches – one of which saw him unused for the entirety of a European clash with Copenhagen.
Following his brief spell of action, the 25-year-old sustained a long-term calf complaint. This led to Mount being unavailable for four months in total, missing 21 vital matches in all competitions in the process.
Even when he has been fit, he’s struggled to cement a starting role under Erik ten Hag. The emergence of scintillating starlet Kobbie Mainoo along with the manager’s preference for Casemiro means there is little space for Mount to make his mark on the team, especially given that Bruno Fernandes won’t be displaced any time soon.
While the issue is, of course, out of United’s control, the Englishman will be well aware that his chances of making the Euros in June are incredibly slim. Gareth Southgate is blessed with a plethora of talent at his disposal in each position, and recalling a player who’s featured so little across the season would certainly raise the eyebrows of supporters.
Mount had always been a mainstay in Southgate’s Three Lions squad. He was a frequent starter in the Euro 2020 campaign, as well as the 2022 World Cup, but favouritism won’t do the coach any favours as he looks to finally put an end to England’s trophy woes.
Ex-Gunner analyses Mount’s woes
Former Arsenal star Bacary Sagna weighed in on Mount’s miserable maiden term, drawing on his own experiences to analyse why the player may be struggling so much.
“Mason Mount was totally different at Chelsea. He was one of the reasons why Chelsea won the Champions League,” Sagna began, as cited by Football London. “He was at home there, and he probably feels homesick by moving to Manchester United [as] it’s a different city and club.
“He’s used to one way of working, used to the players and staff at Chelsea. It’s not always easy when you have to go and start from zero. You can tell that he’s struggled to get comfortable in the team he has the qualities to be a very good player.
“But if you don’t feel at the right time at the right spot, you’ll struggle to perform. Mentally, is he happy to be there? Is he happy to be in Manchester, which is totally different from London? I had a similar change because I went from London to Manchester, and I needed time to adapt.
“He [Mount] had family in London and was settled there, and now he is in Manchester, everything changes. It’s about building back that confidence and getting back to the top. He will have more pressure on him next season. It’s been difficult for him, but hopefully he’s going to have a good pre-season, and maybe it’s the start of something new.”

