Eric Ten Hag insist “it was his decision to join Manchester United”.
In a recent statement, Erik ten Hag has asserted that Mason Mount’s departure from Chelsea and subsequent move to Manchester United last summer was solely the decision of the player himself.
Mount, who had been associated with Chelsea since the age of six, finalized his transition to Old Trafford in a deal valued at up to £60 million.
The 25-year-old midfielder’s departure occurred following protracted contract negotiations with Chelsea, resulting in his sale with one year remaining on his contract due to an impasse between the parties.
Speculation suggests that Mount, classified as a homegrown player, was sold to alleviate financial strain after significant spending in the transfer window.
Reports from ESPN indicate that Chelsea had been open to offers for Mount since December 2022, attracting interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.
However, Mount’s tenure at Old Trafford has been marred by injuries, limiting his participation to just 14 appearances across all competitions this season.
Despite these setbacks, Mount recently notched his inaugural goal for United in a draw against Brentford and is poised to feature in the upcoming clash against Chelsea.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the clash with Mauricio Pochettino’s men, the Dutchman praised Mount and also insisted it was his choice to leave the Blues.
“I don’t think Chelsea wanted to sell him,” he said.
“They wanted to keep him and offered him a new contract many times. But he wanted to make this step.”
Sources suggest that Mount is grappling with his restricted availability this season and is eager to gain favor with fans swiftly.
Mount home coming .
Mason Mount reportedly feels disheartened by perceptions that financial motives influenced his departure from Stamford Bridge, anticipating a potentially adversarial reception as a result.
During his tenure at Chelsea, Mount amassed 195 appearances for the club, contributing to their Champions League victory in 2021 and earning recognition as the Blues’ Player of the Year on two occasions.
