Mikel Arteta thought that Mason Mount would end up signing for Arsenal before Manchester United swooped in and completed a £60million transfer.
Mount, 24, passed his medical on Tuesday and has officially joined the Red Devils on a five-year deal after deciding to leave Chelsea during the summer window. His decision became known within Premier League circles weeks ago, prompting concrete interest from rival clubs such as Arteta's Arsenal.
Liverpool were also in the mix, with boss Jurgen Klopp notably being a big fan of the England international, but his wages demands ended up putting the Reds boss off the move. But as reported by the National, Arteta had already presumed that Mount would want to stay in London and if Chelsea were happy to sell him, expected the midfielder to sign for Arsenal following their impressive 2022-23 campaign.
That was until Erik ten Hag got involved, as it's claimed the United manager proved to be a major factor in convincing the Mount to head north. A source is even quoted as saying that the sought-after star was "desperate" to join Ten Hag's revolution, having spoken in detail about the various positions which he could play in the Red Devils' system next season.
United's keenness only increased when Mount made it clear that he wanted to move to Old Trafford instead of Arsenal and Liverpool, the latter of whom turned to RB Leipzig playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai as an alternative. Arsenal, meanwhile, have brought in Kai Havertz, Mount's now former Chelsea team-mate, for £65m.
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The 24-year-old will link up with Ten Hag ahead of the Red Devils' pre-season tour, where fans can look forward to him operating in multiple positions. Mount is most comfortable as a central attacking midfielder but his work rate and technical ability make him an asset in a deeper role or out wide.
His first opportunity to impress Ten Hag was back in 2018, as he starred for Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem aged 19 while on loan from Chelsea. Mount was instrumental as his team shocked the Dutchman's Ajax and beat them 3-2 at home.
Now the Chelsea academy graduate, who first joined the Blues at the age of six, will strut his stuff at Old Trafford in a midfield which includes the likes of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. It's been suggested that Mount will play as a traditional No.8 helping progress United's play and press effectively in the centre of the pitch.
Ten Hag's focus will now be on making his second summer signing which is likely to be a goalkeeper. David de Gea recently became a free agent after the Red Devils allowed his £375,000-a-week contract to expire, and although the club and his representatives are still in discussions, United remain without a first-choice shot-stopper ahead of their first pre-season against Leeds next Wednesday.
