Dressed in the long-lasting No. 7 blouse decorated by way of Manchester United greats like Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham, Mason Mount turned into the membership’s first signing of the offseason on Wednesday.And upon finishing touch of his 55 million kilos ($69 million) switch from Chelsea, the 24-year-old midfielder declared his goal to emulate United’s stars of the previous.”I’m massively formidable; I know the way superb it feels to win main trophies and what it takes to do it,” Mount stated. ‘I will be able to be giving the whole thing to revel in that once more at Manchester United.”The No. 7 has been worn by way of a few of United’s biggest gamers together with Nineteen Sixties icon George Perfect, Bryan Robson, who used to be dubbed “Captain Wonder” within the ‘80s and ’90s; and Eric Cantona, who impressed the beginning of the membership’s close to 20-year dominance of English football in ’90s and 2000s.Beckham and Ronaldo are world icons who’ve transcended the game, in addition to successful football’s greatest prizes.In different phrases, this is a giant blouse to fill.Now not that United thinks that shall be an issue for a participant who gained the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 and has established himself as an England common.”Mason is a particularly clever footballer and has such a lot of incredible technical qualities that may considerably upload to our squad,” United soccer director John Murtough stated. “We’ve admired his skills for a very long time, so we’re thrilled that he has selected to take the following steps in his profession right here at Previous Trafford.’Ronaldo, who turned into a famous person with the membership within the 2000s earlier than leaving for Actual Madrid in one of the crucial dear and impactful transfers in football historical past, noticed his 2nd stint with Manchester United lead to acrimonious type final November. The No. 7 blouse has been vacant since Ronaldo’s contract used to be terminated following an incendiary interview with Piers Morgan right through the 2022 FIFA Males’s Global Cup during which he criticized United’s possession and supervisor Erik ten Hag. Ronaldo later joined Al-Nassr of the Saudi Professional League.Some on social media criticized the verdict to provide the 24-year-old Mount the famed No. 7.In handing Mount the blouse, Ten Hag made it transparent how vital he believes his signing shall be to the membership’s makes an attempt to go back to the summit of English football after 10 years with out the league name.”His taste of play and attributes are a really perfect are compatible for this squad, and all of us imagine that he’s going to best reinforce additional operating with Erik ten Hag and his training body of workers,’ Murtough stated. “Mason himself is a world-class participant however he additionally has the power to reinforce the gamers round him via his sport intelligence and tactical consciousness.”Whilst the No. 7 has been worn by way of United’s greats, it has additionally weighed closely on many gamers — in particular since Ronaldo left for Actual Madrid in 2009.Antonio Valencia, Angel di Maria, Memphis Depay and Alexis Sanchez all struggled to reside as much as the expectancy that incorporates dressed in it.Ten Hag’s passion in Mount reportedly dates again to when the Dutchman used to be trainer of Ajax and watched the then-Chelsea early life prospect superstar on mortgage with Vitesse Arnhem within the Netherlands.Now he has were given his guy, with Mount finishing his 18-year keep at Chelsea to enroll in a United group that has been much-improved in only one yr below Ten Hag.In addition to returning to the Champions League, United additionally gained the English League Cup in Ten Hag’s first season at Previous Trafford.”Everybody can see that the membership has made giant steps ahead below Erik ten Hag,” Mount stated. “Having met with the chief and mentioned his plans, I couldn’t be extra excited for the seasons forward, and am able for the arduous paintings anticipated right here. I’m massively formidable; I know the way superb it feels to win main trophies and what it takes to do it. I will be able to be giving the whole thing to revel in that once more at Manchester United.”Mount has signed a five-year maintain the choice of some other twelve months. United must pay an additional 5 million kilos ($6.3 million) according to sure goals in the case of appearances and luck.Mount joined Chelsea during the membership’s early life academy as a 6-year-old and went directly to change into a fan favourite after emerging during the ranks to win the Champions League, Ecu Tremendous Cup and Membership Global Cup. He used to be two times named the membership’s participant of the yr and made 195 appearances, scoring 33 objectives.”It’s by no means simple leaving the membership the place you grew up, however Manchester United will supply a thrilling new problem for the following segment of my profession,” he stated. “Having competed in opposition to them, I do know simply how sturdy a squad it’s that I’m becoming a member of, and I will’t wait to be a part of this staff’s power to win main trophies.”Mount posted an emotional video message to Chelsea fanatics on Tuesday to verify his departure.”Given the theory during the last six months this won’t come as a marvel to you, but it surely doesn’t make it any more straightforward to inform that I’ve made the verdict to go away Chelsea,” he stated on Instagram. “I do know a few of you gained’t be proud of my determination, however it’s what’s proper for me at this second in my profession.”Whilst the No. 7 blouse has been stuffed, ten Hag continues to be searching for a alternative for Ronaldo at striker.He needs a best category middle ahead to steer United’s bid to win the Premier League name and compete within the Champions League.United has time and again been connected with a transfer for England captain Harry Kane, however the Tottenham striker seems like a troublesome deal to do, given the membership’s decision to stay cling of its superstar participant.Mount is the most recent participant to go away Chelsea as a part of a summer season filter out by way of the London membership.N’Golo Kante, Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy are different prime profile gamers to go away, whilst Hakim Ziyech, Romelu Lukaku, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and United States superstar Christian Pulisic are anticipated to observe.The departures come after Chelsea spent round $630 million final season, however did not qualify for Europe because it suffered its worst ever Premier League marketing campaign.The Related Press contributed to this file. 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