Mason Mount: From United's £55m Headache to 'Country Roads' Superfan
Mason Mount reflects on his challenging time at Manchester United, from injury woes and a resurgence under Ruben Amorim to loving the 'Country Roads' anthem tradition at Old Trafford. The song, adapted by fans and initiated by Bruno Fernandes and others, pumps him up pre-match. Despite struggles, he's still a key figure as United eye Champions League football.
Mason Mount: From United's £55m Headache to 'Country Roads' Superfan
Picture this: it's summer 2023, and Manchester United pull off what looks like a transfer masterclass, nabbing Mason Mount from Chelsea for a cool £55m. Fans were buzzing – the boy from Cobham, Champions League winner, double Player of the Season at the Bridge. Fast forward to now, and it's been a bit of a rollercoaster, mate. Injuries galore, missed games stacking up like unpaid bills, and that hype train derailed.
But hold on, there's a twist. The 27-year-old Englishman is still grafting, and he's just spilled the beans on what really gets him match-ready at the Theatre of Dreams. As reported by The Peoples Person via OneFootball, it's not fancy playlists or protein shakes – it's a proper Old Trafford singalong.
A Tough Start in Red
Mount's United stint hasn't been a bed of roses. Since rocking up, he's sat out 58 matches, more time on the physio's table than the pitch at times. Under Erik ten Hag, it was slim pickings: just 25 appearances, a solitary goal and assist. Ouch.
The 2022/23 dip at Chelsea didn't help, where form wobbled and the Blues cashed in. United thought they were getting a versatile gem – midfielder, winger, the lot. Instead, it's been stop-start, with fitness playing villain.
This season? 20 games, three goals, one assist, 11 starts. Not setting the world alight, but he's hanging in there.
Amorim's Midfield Maestro
Enter Ruben Amorim, the Portuguese tactician who saw something special. In his 63 games at the helm, Mount featured in 37, banging in six goals and an assist. That's a proper purple patch compared to Ten Hag's drought.
Amorim's 3-4-3 was Mount's playground – shuttling between midfield and attack, versatile as a Swiss Army knife. Blimey, what a difference a gaffer makes. Even now, under caretaker Michael Carrick, he's barely sniffed the pitch – just two minutes in two games – but the Amorim glow-up showed his class.
'Take Me Home, United Road' – The Anthem That Fires Him Up
Now for the juicy bit. Chatting to United's media team, Mount dished on his pre-match ritual. Step forward John Denver's 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' – but Old Trafford edition.
"Yeah, I love it! Everyone together, just before the game, that song comes on," he grinned. "Even when I’m on the pitch, I find myself kind of singing the song and it’s in my head."
The fans' twist? "Take me home, United Road, to the place I belong... to Old Trafford, to see United!" Pure genius. Skipper Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire (aka 'H'), and Tom Heaton ('Heats') kicked it off, and it's a hit with players too – Amad Diallo called it a fave earlier this year.
Mount nailed it: "As soon as you hear it come on, you’re like, ‘Yeah, it’s game time’." Goosebumps, innit? That roar, the unity – it's the stuff that turns good players into Old Trafford legends.
Looking Ahead: CL Dreams and Anthem Anthems
United fans are dreaming of the Champions League anthem echoing round the stadium next term – qualification's on the cards. But 'Country Roads' has already wormed its way into hearts worldwide.
Mount might not have hit the heights yet, but moments like this remind us why we love the lad. Resilient, versatile, and now a proper Red belter. Here's hoping the injuries stay away and he belts out a few more goals to match the tunes.
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