11 October 2023 , 12:22
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Mason Mount will have regrets over quitting Chelsea to join Manchester United this summer – claims former Blues defender Glen Johnson.
Mount, 24, signed a five-year deal with the Red Devils this summer as he completed his £60million move from Stamford Bridge. It was a high-profile move for the attacking midfielder, but he is yet to find his best form in a United shirt. Johnson's scepticism comes amid reports that United players are unhappy with boss Erik ten Hag over his management - although there is no suggestion that involves Mount.
Ten Hag’s side have lost four of their opening eight Premier League games while also slumping to defeat in each of their first two Champions League group stage matches. While they may not have reached crisis point, United must turn around their fortunes quickly.
The arrival of Mount was viewed primarily as him being played in a midfield trio for Ten Hag’s side. That was his starting position in the opening Premier League games against Wolves and Tottenham, in which he struggled to assert influence, prior to an injury absence.
Mount has since returned to play in a somewhat makeshift United midfielder alongside Casemiro, with Sofyan Amrabat also moving into his preferred holding midfield role having been deployed at full-back during a defensive injury crisis.
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Yet United’s midfield still lacks definition – Scott McTominay has found minutes hard to come by this season but netted twice in a late win over Brentford – and young talent Kobbie Mainoo remains sidelined through injury. Mount has impressed in patches, but neither he nor United have hit their stride this term.
"At the moment he will be [regretting his decision to join Manchester United]," former Premier League defender Johnson explained to Betfred. "Manchester United are a very big football club, but you don’t join them with the expectation that you’re going to be part of a team that’s tenth in the Premier League.
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Mount has been frustrated in his opening period at United (Matt West/REX/Shutterstock)"You only want to go there to challenge for major honours, and I know that Chelsea aren’t in a better position at this very moment, but you don’t move to Old Trafford in the expectation that you’re going to struggle. I don’t know why he decided to leave Chelsea, but I’m sure he’s questioning his decision at this very moment.”
Despite their early-season struggles, United remain a point above Chelsea – who are not competing in European football this term – in the Premier League standings. Mount made 195 appearances for the Blues across four seasons, scoring 33 goals for the club.