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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
Stockport County defender Brad Hills ruled out for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
In a big blow to their promotion push, Stockport County have been hit with a major injury and loss to their first-team squad, as defender Brad Hills has been ruled out for what looks to be the remainder of the season and then some.
Not what Hatters will want to hear with crunch-time in and around the playoffs now well underway.
Having emerged as even more of a starring centre-back this year, following his initial loan spell with the club during the previous campaign, Brad Hills has arguably been one of Stockport’s best and most reliable players in 2025/26 thus far – but not County will have to do without him.
Although the exact severity is yet to be fully revealed, the former Norwich City youth academy graduate is said to have hurt his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Confirming the news on social media, the Greater Manchester side stated: “We regret to inform supporters that Brad Hills sustained an ACL injury in Saturday’s draw at Luton Town that will rule him out for the foreseeable future.
“Our full focus is on supporting Brad throughout his recovery – we know he’ll come back stronger”
For anyone unaware, ACL tears/ruptures are among some of the worst injuries in football, and depending on the extent of the damage, it can take anywhere between six months and a full year to bounce back.
Safe to say, therefore, that supporters have been left gutted by the update, with one commenting, “Awful, awful news”; another simply wrote, “FFS”.
After typing a very long expletive following the show news, fan podcast The Scarf Bergara Wore wrote: “Wishing Bradley Hills a speedy recovery – come back stronger!
Since becoming a permanent signing back in August, he’s earned multiple man-of-the-match awards in blue and white, not to mention contributed to a decent number of clean sheets. He’ll be a big miss in their backline.
While it’s no doubt a big setback as the League One team looks to get promoted into the Championship, the absence could see manager Dave Challinor reshuffle the pack and perhaps even the formation for the remaining fixtures.
One option is Louie Barry, who – depending on the setup – could finally be set for a return to the pitch after he was signed on a third loan deal this past January, but is still continuing his own rehab following a knee operation.
Put it this way, with not many games left, lots of County fans are probably wishing that the pending and potential further changes in the EFL could have come sooner…
Salford RLFC issue statement as head coach Mike Grady departs after less than three months
Danny Jones
Salford Rugby League Football Club have issued an official statement following the departure of head coach Mike Grady, who has left the role after less than three months in the job.
It has been insisted that this is not a sacking, but rather a joint decision to terminate his contract.
Grady, who took up the mantle at the start of this project following the end of the Salford Red Devils era, was only appointed on 5 January.
He had previously been in charge of the Red Devils’ women’s side over the past couple of years, but moved over to hopefully lead this new era forward.
As you can see, the club confirmed in a statement that they and Grady have “mutually agreed to part ways due to changes in his personal circumstances.”
They go on to write: “We are forever indebted to Mike for his unwavering commitment to the club. We want to thank him for all his hard work since taking on the role as Head Coach in very challenging circumstances in December.”
Also sharing a comment from former player turned CEO, Ryan Brierley, he said: “Mike came in as Coach at a time when the club had just come through one of its toughest times with the double impact of relegation and liquidation.
“He was willing to roll up his sleeves and bring stability to the club on the pitch. The fact we were able to field a team against Oldham in January, after only three weeks, speaks volumes about his commitment and determination. To beat Hunslet at home only four weeks later was a fantastic achievement.
“Mike will always be remembered as the person [who] strived and achieved the objective of sending out the first Salford team of this new era. A team running onto the pitch, after so much hard work, gave us all something to cheer about. We also remember how well he successfully guided our women’s team to third and fourth place finishes in the Championship.”
Sharing his own farewell message, he went on to add: “I want to thank Ryan for the opportunity to represent this great club and fan base. What we created at the start of the year was pretty special, and I’m proud to have built that.
“I’m happy to leave the club in a better place than I found it and wish the club all the best for the future.” Salford RLFC have already assured that they are now recruiting for his replacement.
Danny Jones -
6th July 2023 
