Mason Mount has been pictured taking part in his first training session at Manchester United after confirming his transfer from Chelsea earlier this week.
Mount signed a £250,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford until 2028 with the option of another year after Man United agreed to pay Chelsea £55million plus £5m in add-ons.
Mount was also offered the No 7 jersey – made famous at Old Trafford by George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo – during talks with manager Erik ten Hag.
Mail Sport sources say that Mount fits the mould of a dynamic energy player wanted by manger Erik ten Hag, who was heavily involved in the process of the transfer. Therefore, they felt the No 7 shirt represented that.
The England international – who said he was grateful for the opportunity at Manchester United – was pictured taking part in his first training session on Friday morning.
Mason Mount has been pictured taking part in his first training session at Manchester United
The England international (above) was full of smiles as he made his way out onto the pitch
Mount was also seen practicing his headers as he took part in United’s pre-season training
Mount was seen wearing a white Manchester United training top and a pair of black shorts as he joined the squad for pre-season training under manager Ten Hag at Carrington.
Mount was full of smiles as he made his way out onto the pitch. He was also seen passing the ball with his team-mates and practicing his headers before getting stuck into the session.
Mount’s new team-mates took no mercy on the England international – with Donny van de Beek being pictured pushing the 24-year-old to the ground during one of their practice sessions.
However, Mount did appear friendly with Lisandro Martinez as the pair embraced each other and posed for a photo before their first pre-season training session at Carrington started.
Mount was also seen playing a game of possession with Toby Collyer and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as he settled into life at Manchester United.
Mount will undoubtedly face tremendous pressure having cost the club £60m and taken the No 7 shirt – becoming the 10th player to be given the shirt since permanent squad numbers introduced.
A number of players have struggled in the No 7 jersey in recent years, including Angel Di Maria and Memphis Depay. Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia too have worn the ᵴtriƥ.
The midfielder insists he is ready for the challenge, though. After signing the deal with his new club, he said: ‘It’s never easy leaving the club where you grew up, but Manchester United will provide an exciting new challenge for the next phase of my career.
Mount new team-mates took no mercy on the England international – with Donny van de Beek being pictured pushing the 24-year-old to the ground during one of their practice sessions
However, Mount did appear friendly with Lisandro Martinez as the pair embraced each other and pose for a photo before their first pre-season training session at Carrington started
The former Chelsea man will take the number seven shirt at United which a number of marquee signings have struggled with in recent years
‘Having competed against them, I know just how strong a squad it is that I’m joining, and I can’t wait to be part of this group’s drive to win major trophies.
‘Everyone can see that the club has made big steps forward under Erik ten Hag. Having met with the manager and discussed his plans, I couldn’t be more excited for the seasons ahead, and am ready for the hard work expected here.
‘I am hugely ambitious; I know how amazing it feels to win major trophies and what it takes to do it. I will be giving everything to experience that again at Manchester United.’
The midfielder, upon completing his transfer, ends an 18-year spell at Chelsea, which began when he joined the academy as a six-year-old.
His spell at the club turned sour after Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the club to Todd Boehly in 2022, with the team struggling under the upheaval and mass changes to both player and staff personnel.
Their 12th-placed finish in the 2022-23 campaign, coupled with the lure of playing Champions League football with United on more than double his salary, proved strong enough for him to leave the club he has supported as a boy.
In a farewell message to Chelsea fans, Mount said: ‘Hi Chelsea fans, given the speculation over the last six months, this may not come as a surprise to you. But it doesn’t make it any easier to tell you I’ve made the decision to leave Chelsea.
‘I feel you deserve more than just a written statement so I wanted to tell you directly how grateful I’ve been for all of your support over the last 18 years. I know some of you won’t be happy with my decision but it’s what’s right for me at this moment in my career.
He joins after 18 years at Stamford Bridge, where he won the Champions League and Club World Cup
Mount released a statement thanking Chelsea fans for their ‘support’ after making the switch
‘I joined Chelsea when I was six years old and we’ve been through a lot together, winning the Youth Cup, my player of the year awards, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup, and of course that unforgettable night when we won the Champions League.’
Mount will fit into a useful-looking midfield that already features the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, but United will still be desperate to bring in a new striker and goalkeeper this summer.
Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund remains a key target and is expected to be available for around £50 million.
The Red Devils have submitted a second bid of around £43 million for Inter Milan keeper Andre Onana.
Source: dailymail