Beating Liverpool and Arsenal plus Ten Hag’s role – why Manchester United signed Mason Mount

Mason Mount is officially a Man United player five weeks after personal terms were agreed for the England international.

Mason Mount is Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag’s main target to bolster his midfield this summer.

United said they had received interest from Liverpool and Arsenal to agree personal terms with Mount, 24, in May. Mount has expressed a “strong desire” to join United.

With Frenkie de Jong marrying Barcelona and Jude Bellingham leaving Real Madrid, Ten Hag identified Mount as the most suitable option to add more creativity to the United squad.

Ten Hag wanted a more dynamic and youthful midfielder as Casemiro and Christian Eriksen turned 31 in February and Fred turned 30 in March.

United believe they have signed an energetic player with impressive technical qualities, a winning streak and a strong personality. Mount won the Champions League and Club World Cup with Chelsea.

It is believed that Ten Hag was heavily involved in selling United to Mount and persuading him to leave Chelsea. Ten Hag also offers a clear vision of Mount’s role on the United side.

Ten Hag met Mount during his long-term loan spell with Vitesse Arnhem during the 2017-18 season when he was appointed Ajax manager midway through the campaign.

Mount a Vitesse coach Henk Fraser compared him to De Jong. The , style suited Ten Hag as he oversaw the second phase of United’s squad rebuild.

The recruiting department also approved Mount’s target. Despite Mount being accused of prioritizing finances over football after Chelsea refused to meet his wage demands, United remained adamant in signing another invested player at the club.

Mount has agreed a five-year contract with a salary of £250,000-a-week and United have the option of a one-year extension.

As the Manchester Evening News reported last week, United’s director of football, John Murtough, led the negotiations and ‘holded on’ when the club turned down an initial fee of £55m Older brother.

Chelsea asked for £58m upfront and £7m in surcharges, but United agreed to a £55m deal increased to £60m.

United currently have five senior central midfielders for Ten Hag, although there is uncertainty about Fred’s future amid interest from Fulham.

Fred has entered the final year of his contract with United.