Ten Hag reveals why Mason Mount left Chelsea as he returns to Stamford Bridge
Chelsea academy product Mason Mount, is set for a first return to Stamford Bridge, since leaving last summer.
Mount, now 25, has recently come back from injury and scored on his return for the Red Devils, against Brentford.
Chelsea sold Mount to Manchester United for a fee of £60m last summer, and Ten Hag has revealed why Mount left Chelsea to join Manchester United.
Mount was voted Chelsea’s Player of the Year in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, and it was a surprise to see him leave Chelsea.
Speaking ahead of the game against Chelsea, Erik ten Hag insisted that coming to Old Trafford was the 25-year-old’s choice, with Mount rejecting multiple contract offers from Chelsea.
“I don’t think they wanted to sell him,” Ten Hag said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
“They wanted to keep him and offered him a new contract many times. But he wanted to make this step.
“We are very pleased he is a Manchester United player because he has great abilities and will contribute and become a big player for Manchester United.”
“He’s a fantastic football player but it’s important first that he is getting and keeping fit because he has had three injuries,” the Dutchman added when asked about Mount’s fitness.
“Like with Licha, another injury, you want to avoid and we have to do this carefully. The first objective is to keep him fit. Then he can benefit and contribute to the team like he did on Saturday when he had a big impact.”