Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount has declared his belief that the club possesses the necessary ability and mentality to challenge for the Premier League title next season, a bold statement given their recent history and current standing. It has been 13 years since the Old Trafford faithful last celebrated a league triumph, a feat achieved in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season at the helm.
Mount, 27, who has previously lifted the Champions League trophy, expressed a clear personal objective. “I’ve won the Champions League already, so I have a goal of winning the Premier League. Can we do that? Yes, I think we can,” Mount stated, as reported by BBC Sport. “It may seem a little bit far away, but you must have that mentality to really push yourself as a group.”
Despite finishing 15th last season, United are currently pushing to secure a return to Europe’s elite club competition. They need just two points from their remaining four fixtures to seal a Champions League berth, which could be confirmed if neither Brighton nor Bournemouth win their respective matches this weekend. A victory against Liverpool on Sunday would also guarantee their place.
A personal and collective challenge
Mount’s personal journey at Old Trafford has seen him feature in 20 of United’s 34 Premier League games this season, though he has started only 10. His last Premier League start came in the victory over Newcastle on 26 December. However, he played a role in United’s recent home win against Brentford less than 24 hours before making his ambitious declaration.
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Addressing his role and self-belief, Mount added, “I will always back myself. I know what I’m about and what I can bring. I love being a part of a massive club. It’s my third season and it’s flown. I’m a bit older now and I’ve got a bit more experience. There are going to be a lot more games next season. Being a part of getting this club back to the top, where it deserves to be, is super special.”
The midfielder also offered praise for current manager Michael Carrick, who is overseeing the team during a transitional period. “He’s been brilliant for me. As a midfielder, I looked up to him when he played. He was an absolute maestro which is something I’ve always looked to do,” Mount commented. “It’s not my call but I really like the way he works; the way he sees the game. He’s very level-headed. Very calm, very knowledgeable about the game.” Mount has also previously worked with assistant manager Steve Holland, 55, during their time at Chelsea and with England.
Mount believes the team has already demonstrated their capability against top opposition. “We’ve shown what we can do against the big teams already; Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, so we’ve done it. Now it’s about doing it on a bigger stage in the Champions League and doing it more consistently in the Premier League. Hopefully, I will be a massive part of that moving forward next season. It’s a goal: I want to win the Premier League.”
Sources: www.bbc.com, www.bbc.co.uk
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