Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has refuted claims suggesting that Mason Mount was coerced into leaving Chelsea, asserting instead that the midfielder actively chose to transition to Old Trafford.
Mount entered the final year of his contract with Chelsea last summer and, following a protracted saga, ultimately completed a move to United for an initial fee of £55 million, with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons.
Recent reports have suggested that Mount felt compelled to depart Chelsea, with allegations that the club opted to sell him without affording him a genuine opportunity to remain. However, Ten Hag has dismissed this narrative.
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“I don’t believe [Chelsea] intended to sell him,” Ten Hag remarked during a press conference preceding Mount’s anticipated return to Stamford Bridge on Thursday. “They sought to retain him and even extended several contract offers to him.
“However, he desired to pursue this step, and we were, and continue to be, delighted to have him at Manchester United because of his exceptional abilities.
“I am confident he will make significant contributions and emerge as a key player for Manchester United.”
Mount, a product of the Chelsea academy, has encountered setbacks since joining United, with injuries limiting the 25-year-old to just four Premier League starts thus far. Nonetheless, he recently notched his inaugural goal for United in the 1-1 draw against Brentford, a moment Ten Hag felt would secure victory until a 99th-minute equalizer.
“I was thrilled for him,” Ten Hag expressed to MUTV. “But also disappointed for him that it didn’t culminate in a winning goal.
“He deserved that moment of triumph, however brief it may have been. Considering the numerous injuries he has endured and his persistent hard work, setbacks have been particularly frustrating.
“To believe you’ve secured the win and then concede a late goal to make it 1-1—it alters the mood entirely, as you can imagine.”