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.
Just in: Mason Mount's first United interview! 🚨#MUFC
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:
🎙 | Mason Mount:
“I think that video of me taking the free-kick was after that day. It inspired me and seeing that moment at Old Trafford, in the away end, I was in awe of that situation and that iconic moment. I’d love to now replicate it.” [MU]pic.twitter.com/tzDynMpX7H
“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.
Two Manchester Basketball players have been named in the SLB Team of the Season for 2025/26
Danny Jones
A pair of Manchester Basketball players have been named in the latest SLB Team of the Season for 2025/26.
The most recent UK Super League Basketball (SLB) campaign is set to wrap up this month, with the playoffs taking place down in the capital, but there are other awards to be handed out before then.
It remains to be seen how ‘The Final Four’ phase will play out at The O2 in London on 17 May, but we can definitely take joy in moments like this.
Announced on Thursday, 7 May, Manchester Basketball confirmed that duo Max Jones and Jordan Johnson have joined the rest of the league’s roster of the best players this term.
As detailed on the club website, “Max has averaged 17.4 points in the SLB in 32 games – he’s been a starter for the franchise and was also named in the ENBL All-Star Five in Germany last month.
“Jordan averaged 14.1 points and 5.1 assists in 30 games in the SLB, had a stellar European campaign and hit 30 pts in just over 27 minutes in the SLB Cup Final.”
Commenting on social media, one fan wrote: “Both JJ and PJ have been so great at the PG spot all year. I feel this is a joint award for them both, but they can only fill one spot for the accolade. If we wanna be a serious club to build upon year on year, JJ also needs to be in an MCR jersey next year.
“We absolutely have the pieces to build around. JJ’s nerve is sooooo cool under pressure. You can just tell they wanna loft a meaningful trophy, and it’s gonna happen if we as a club plan and build the way we need to.”
Plenty of supporters have also stressed the importance of making sure that the board tie down the likes of Jones and other big talents this summer; the rest of the Molten All-League Team of the Season for 2025/26 can be found below.
It’s also worth noting that teammate Tim Adetukasi and women’s team star Irene Oboavwoduo have each been named in the SLB’s British Team of the Year in their respective divisions for 2026.
Writing in a club statement reflecting on a great week of recognition for the resurgent club, General Manager Dominique Allen said: “We are really proud to be a club flying the flag for British players.
Both Tim and Irene have made a real impact on and off the court. We’re really happy for both of them that they are getting some well-deserved recognition.”
Well done to all the MCR stars who are helping get the franchise back on its feet following such a major rebrand across the board.
Here’s looking forward to another promising and productive year for Manchester Basketball.
Manchester City win first Women’s Super League title in a decade
Danny Jones
After a decade of hope and hard work, Manchester City have finally won the Women’s Super League once again in a huge moment for the local club.
Lifting not just their first division title in 10 years, but only their second WSL trophy since the modern female football era began in 2010, it felt like only a matter of time to many supporters.
Ending a six-year Chelsea supremacy, this is also manager Andrée Jeglertz’s first at the helm of Man City’s women’s team, who arrived at the club with a strong silverware record at the start of this season.
These were the scenes at home base as one key result sealed their status as champions:
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) May 6, 2026
City Women secured the WSL title following third-placed Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Brighton on Wednesday evening.
They even managed to do so with a game to spare and a six-point gap over the west London club, which has won so much over the past few years.
Speaking in an interview with club media after confirmation of the win, captain and Euro 2025-winning Lionesses defender, Alex Greenwood, said: “[It feels] absolutely incredible. “A moment – we as a team, me personally – us as a club has waited so long for”.
“An incredible moment, it’s an incredible feeling. I’m so glad we got to spend this moment together as a group. Just an absolutely incredible feeling.”
With fans watching both at home, along with the first team themselves, the celebrations have already begun as the team shared a look back at how they got here.
You can see the recap posted on social media in full below.
Commenting on his latest accolade, the Swedish head coach added in a full club statement: “There’s never been doubt about the talent in the group, but there is something else about talking about being winners and champions. We started that early, and we believed in that. That’s led us through this year.
“It hasn’t been easy; it’s been hard work every day, but we had a strong belief that we could be sitting here in May and be champions. That is the first thing, and we definitely deserve it.”
Congratulations to the Cityzens on a well-deserved and long-awaited WSL title; could this be the start of another sporting dynasty of dominance over in East Manchester? Only time will tell…
In other news around the Etihad Campus, the women’s, EDS and academy team stadium is also set to host the final of the FA Youth Cup later this month.
Danny Jones -
6th July 2023 
