Manchester United icon, Rio Ferdinand, has lauded the performances of midfielder Mason Mount during the club’s pre-season tour thus far.
Mount transferred to United from fellow Premier League powerhouse Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of £55 million, with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons.
Despite the significant transfer cost, the Englishman’s time at Old Trafford has been somewhat disappointing.
In his 72nd appearances for Manchester United across all competitions, Mount has managed to score only seven goals and provide two assists.
His performances have been marked by inconsistency, compounded by a series of injuries that have sidelined him for nearly 70 matches since 2023.
Nevertheless, there remains optimism that the 27-year-old can revitalise his career at United. He has participated in all three of their pre-season friendlies for the 2026-27 season (45 minutes against Wrexham in a 0-1 loss, 61 minutes against Rosenborg in a 5-0 victory, and 90 minutes against Atletico Madrid in a 2-1 win), showcasing commendable performances.
Ferdinand has expressed his admiration for Mount’s efforts and took to social media to acknowledge the playmaker’s contributions. In a post on X, the 47-year-old stated (via @rioferdy5 on X),”Mason Mount looking sharp btw.”
This summer, Manchester United have bolstered their midfield with several significant signings.
They acquired Andrey Santos from Chelsea for a reported fee of £48 million plus £2 million in add-ons and activated Youri Tielemans’ £35 million release clause to bring him in from Aston Villa.
As a result, despite his impressive pre-season form, Mount will encounter considerable competition for a place in United’s starting line up for the 2026-27 season.
EPL: ‘Looking sharp’ – Rio Ferdinand hails Man United star ahead of new season