Mason Mount has expressed his positive physical condition as Manchester United continues its preparations for the upcoming season. The midfielder, who joined United in 2023 from Chelsea, shared his feelings after the team’s 5-0 pre-season victory against Rosenborg in Trondheim.
Mount noted that the pre-season matches provide opportunities for the team to refine their strategies. He highlighted the benefit of playing against a team like Rosenborg, who are in the middle of their season and possess sharpness, describing the match as a step up from their previous game against Wrexham. He also emphasised the importance of winning in these preparatory fixtures.
Mount’s Role and Leadership
During the match against Rosenborg, Mount was given the captain’s armband in the second half, a role he stated he “loved.” He views himself as a leader who sets an example through his work ethic on the pitch, rather than being primarily vocal. Mount has previous experience as a captain from earlier in his career.
He particularly enjoyed the leadership role with younger players on the pitch, aiming to make them feel comfortable both during the game and off it. This opportunity arose after Harry Maguire, who initially wore the armband in the absence of Bruno Fernandes, was substituted at half-time.
Mount has retained the confidence of all his past managers, who appreciate his contributions and desire his success. His versatility allows him to play in multiple midfield positions, a role he has been accustomed to since a young age.
Partnership with Andrey Santos and Physical Condition
Discussions around Manchester United’s midfield have been prominent this summer, and Mount has seemingly developed a partnership with new signing Andrey Santos. Mount has known Santos for some time, having observed his progression since he broke into Chelsea’s first team. He regards Santos as a strong player with excellent game-reading abilities.
Despite Santos’s youth, Mount noted his experience from loan spells and playing in the Premier League. He described Santos as a more defensive player, which allows Mount to push further forward in recent games. Both players are characterised by their desire to engage defensively, win the ball, and play aggressively.
Regarding his physical state, Mount stated, “I feel brilliant. I feel really good.” He mentioned building on the momentum from the end of the last season, where he played several games and was actively involved. After a break, he felt ready and eager to return to training and get back into the rhythm of play. He expressed feeling strong and prepared, with more games and weeks ahead to continue working on improvements.
Mount’s time at United has been affected by injuries, with his third season marking the first time he completed a full 90 minutes in a Premier League match for the club. Since joining United in 2023 for a £55 million fee, he has played in 72 games across three seasons: 20 in his first, 27 in his second, and 25 in his third. This contrasts with his more regular appearances at Chelsea, where he was named the club’s player of the season in 2020/21 and the subsequent term, a period when Chelsea became European champions.
At his former club, Mount scored more goals, including 13 in the 2021/22 season when he was a full England international. United’s acquisition of Mount was partly due to his perceived threat from set-pieces, though goals have been infrequent during his tenure. He has not added to his 36 England caps since 2022.
Manchester United’s next fixture is scheduled against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on Saturday, followed by a match against PSG the subsequent weekend in Gothenburg.
Source: thenationalnews.com
Dominic Hayes is the Sports News Writer at NewsGB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with five years of reporting experience. He started on a north-east sports desk. He holds a degree in Journalism from Teesside University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Middlesbrough, he follows pro golf and amateur boxing. “Fast and accurate is the only standard worth keeping.”
