Manchester United’s new no.7 Mason Mount has revealed how Cristiano Ronaldo and other club legends who previously wore the shirt “inspired” his playing style and career thus far.
Signing for United earlier this week and being officially unveiled as the club’s new no.7 on Wednesday, fans are already having to get used to seeing the former Chelsea men swap blue for red, but they’ll also have to get used to seeing him wear one of the club’s most hallowed shirts.
For a while, it was thought that the likes of Jadon Sancho or even Alejandro Garnacho were next in line to take the iconic number, but Mount will be the next to take up the moniker and with his first words in United colours, he made it clear that those who went before him have had an impact on his career.
Speaking to MUTV presenter Helen McConnell in his first interview at Carrington, he discussed everything from already forming relationships with some of his England teammates, what kind of role he sees himself in and what figures inspired him on the journey to becoming that player.
Despite clearly defining himself as a number eight who likes to get forward and get involved wherever he can, McConnell couldn’t help but bring up a photo that his dad showed her of a young Mason Mount at Old Trafford when he was only around 10.
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The picture in question was taken on the same night Ronaldo scored that legendary free-kick against Portsmouth, undoubtedly one of the greatest the club has ever seen.
As the now 24-year-old midfielder explained, “I was there in the away end, supporting my team Pompey and was able to witness that special moment.”
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Mount also went on to detail how the already viral video of him as a kid in training practising how to take that trademark knuckleball-style free-kick that the Portuguese star helped make famous was taken just a day after that match. You know the one:
“It inspired me and seeing that special moment at Old Trafford, I was in awe of that situation and that iconic moment”, says Mount, adding that he loved to now go and replicate it himself.
He made no secret of how CR7 influenced him but Mount also had a special mention for another footballing legend and previous owner of the no.7 shirt in David Beckham as well, noting that “Becks was also a massive inspiration of mine, growing up with his free-kicks… I was in awe of his technique.”
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Whether or not United fans will get to see him putting away similar finishes to Beckham and Ronaldo remains to be seen but one thing’s for sure, you have to get off to a good start if you’re going to wear that particular shirt.
Phil Foden picks up Premier League Player of the Year for 2023/24
Danny Jones
Manchester City forward Phil Foden has picked up the Premier League’s Player of the Year award for the 2023/24 season.
Having enjoyed the best statistical campaign to date, with two games still left to play, the Stockport-born star City and England star has swept up his first-ever Premier League POTY award at the age of 23.
The attacking midfielder has already swept up Young Player of the Year twice in his career (2021 and 2022), which was awarded to former teammate Cole Palmer on Friday, and this accolade just goes to show how much of a first-team star he’s become over the past couple of years.
With both awards going to Manc footballers and Foden being the first Englishman to win it since Jamie Vardy in 2015/16, you’ll hear no complaints from us.
Foden has 25 goals and 11 assists this season, his highest tally ever, and with the chance of a domestic double still looming, he could be set for another unreal 12 months in sky blue.
Pep Guardiola’s side simply needs to beat West Ham this Sunday to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title and with a Manchester derby FA Cup final waiting for them next week, the local lad has a big fortnight ahead of him.
Having already become a treble winner with Man City last season, not to mention emerging as one of the first names on the team sheet for the Three Lions, he’s graduated from one of the most talented youngsters to one of the most impressive in Europe – and he’s got the stats to back it up.
Here’s hoping he can round off this year with some more silverware while wearing an England shirt. Here are some of his highlights from this season:
A huge congratulations to Phil Foden on winning the 23/24 Premier League Player of the Year; regardless of who you support, you can’t deny he’s been unreal this season.
In fact, his emergence as a senior figure and somewhat of a leader in this current City side has given us a lot faith for the summer and we’re more convinced than ever that Gareth Southgate must try and build around him if we stand a chance of going for in Euro 2024.
Is it coming home and will a lad from Stockport play a big part in bringing it here?
Cole Palmer wins Premier League’s Young Player of the Year for 2023/24
Danny Jones
Manchester-born and bred footballer, Cole Palmer, has won the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award for 2023/24 following a spectacular breakthrough campaign.
The ex-Manchester City youth product made his big-money move to Chelsea at the start of this season and has been comfortably one of the best players in the league this year, once again proving the old adage that if you’re good enough you’re old enough.
Sitting second in the race for the Golden Boot behind former teammate Erling Haaland and shining as one of the most creative midfielders in Europe in his first full season, you could have banked on him winning it months ago.
🔵⭐️ OFFICIAL: Cole Palmer wins the award as Premier League Young Player of the Year. 🧊
Chelsea star has scored 22 goals and provided 10 assists in Premier League this season. pic.twitter.com/HYpthQiOU3
Having bagged a hattrick in Chelsea’s remarkable turnaround against Manchester United as well as bagging four against Everton, just to name a couple of his most impressive performances over the past 12 months, he doesn’t like a player who only made a handful of appearances last year.
With the 22-year-old fittingly netting 22 goals not to mention 10 assists and quickly establishing himself as Mauricio Pochettino’s main man, despite the multi-billion squad assembled around him, it’s been nothing short of a remarkable emergence onto the biggest stage.
Having earned his first senior international call-up through his efforts too, he now looks set to be one the players England fans are dying to see start at the Euros – the point where many Blues are now wondering whether they made a mistake letting him go.
Congratulations to the Wythenshawe native on his well-deserved award and we sincerely look forward to seeing what he does in an England shirt this summer.
As for who will pick up the outright Premier League Player of the Year, surely Palmer picking up the youth award means that Phil Foden is set to mop up the main prize?
A clean sweep for Manc footballers. We like the sound of that.