Bruno Fernandes has sent an "angry" welcome message to Mason Mount as the midfielder was confirmed as a new Manchester United player. The 24-year-old officially left Chelsea on Wednesday after an 18-year association with the club that has seen him rise from academy level.
Mount spent seasons on loan with Vitesse Arnhem and Derby County before breaking into the first team under Frank Lampard in 2019. Winning the Player of the Year award twice, the Cobham academy graduate seemed one of the key stars in the team until the most recent season.
A mixture of injuries and poor performances across the team meant that the England international was in and out of the lineup and made for a tough campaign. In the background, there was also the growing issue surrounding his contract and the future for the summer.
After an agreement seemed close late last year, an extension appeared to drift further and further away and an exit seemed much more likely. Manchester United made their move in the summer, having several bids rejected until they finally agreed a deal worth up to £60million with the Blues.
"It’s never easy leaving the club where you grew up, but Manchester United will provide an exciting new challenge for the next phase of my career," Mount said in a Man United club statement. "Having competed against them, I know just how strong a squad it is that I’m joining, and I can’t wait to be part of this group’s drive to win major trophies.
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“Everyone can see that the club has made big steps forward under Erik ten Hag. Having met with the manager and discussed his plans, I couldn’t be more excited for the seasons ahead, and am ready for the hard work expected here. I am hugely ambitious; I know how amazing it feels to win major trophies and what it takes to do it. I will be giving everything to experience that again at Manchester United.”
Plenty have taken to social media to welcome the new signing, including Bruno Fernandes who appeared to prompt an "angry", if not slightly humorous, message. Posting on his Instagram, Fernandes showed images of he and Mount fighting previously with the caption: "Why did it take you so long to sign [angry emoji]. Welcome @masonmount."
The pair will be lining up alongside each other this season instead of fighting one another, with a return to Stamford Bridge scheduled for early April 2024.
