Erik ten Hag claims Chelsea ‘didn’t want to sell’ Mason Mount as he backs midfielder to become a ‘big player’ at Old Trafford

The England international made a £60 million ($76m) move to Old Trafford last summer after months of protracted contract negotiations with the Blues. While many speculated that Chelsea, in light of Mount's injury history, saw an opportunity to cash in on their academy product to alleviate financial pressures, Mount himself hinted at feeling unwanted at Stamford Bridge. "Several months ago, it became clear I wasn't in Chelsea's plans going forward," he said in an interview with MUTV in July 2023.

Contrary to popular belief, Ten Hag contends that Chelsea made numerous attempts to retain Mount, offering him new contracts on multiple occasions. Ultimately, it was Mount who expressed a desire to pursue new opportunities, leading to his decision to join Manchester United.

Speaking to reporters, Ten Hag said: "I don't think Chelsea wanted to sell him. They wanted to keep him and offered him a new contract many times. But he wanted to make this step.

"He's a fantastic football player. It's important first that he's getting and keeping fit. You see it now with Licha (Martinez), you want to avoid that. So you have to do it very carefully. We want to use him so he can have benefit and have a contribution to the team, as he did on Saturday."

Mount's transition to United has not been without challenges, with injuries limiting his Premier League appearances to just nine so far. However, his recent performance, including opening his goal-scoring account in a draw against Brentford, demonstrates his potential to make a significant impact for the Red Devils.

"I am sure he will contribute and he will become a big player for Man United," Ten Hag said.

"I was so happy for him. But so sorry for him also that it wasn't the winner. He deserved that moment of glory, maybe it was such a small moment but, for a player who came in and suffered so many injuries and worked so hard all the time, and had so many setbacks, it was so frustrating. And then you think you've scored a winner so we were disappointed when we conceded that goal that makes it 1-1. It makes a totally different mood, as you can imagine."

As United prepare to take on Chelsea, Ten Hag faces the dilemma of managing a team plagued by injuries to key players. However, this might open a window of opportunity for Mount to be potentially included in the starting lineup in the highly anticipated clash between the two Premier League giants on Thursday evening.