Mason Mount has said that 'his mind was made up' when Manchester United expressed an interest in securing his signature during this summer's transfer window.
The England international completed a £55m switch to Old Trafford from Chelsea on Wednesday, and he will wear the number seven shirt for his new club.
Mount's contract with Chelsea had been due to expire next summer, and the midfielder has revealed that he only wanted to move to Man United when it became clear that he would be leaving Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
"I think over the last several months it became clear that I wasn't in the plans moving forward [at Chelsea], and once I knew that United were involved, my decision was made up," Mount told MUTV.
"It's a massive club with huge, iconic players that have played here. And I wanted to be a part of that from the beginning. And obviously getting in early ready for pre-season to start was a main objective of mine as well.
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"Pre-season is huge, it gets you in the right shape going into the season. So yeah, the most important thing for me was getting there, being ready on day one and being able to obviously meet all the players, the manager, get working because we've got a big season ahead and we want to win trophies, we want to be successful.
"So, yeah, it was really big for me to be here on day one and get going straight away."
Mount also opened up on his excitement at playing at Old Trafford as a Man United player before discussing where he believes that he will fit into Erik ten Hag's side.
"I've had the experience of playing there (Old Trafford) as an away team and it's so tough. You're not just playing against the team, you're playing against the fans as well, and they're always behind the team and singing the songs and it's, it's a theatre to come and play," he added.
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"It's amazing, you look forward to it every time but now obviously putting the home kit on and I can't wait to walk out there. Those Champions League nights are going to be special and now it's the focus on doing well and I'm really enjoying it at the same time.
"I've always seen myself as a midfielder, a number eight that can obviously get forward, attack, try and score goals, create goals, but also be able to do the other side as well and defend and help the team when we're under pressure.
"And that's obviously a massive focus of mine, being able to come here and help the boys in that situation. And I know what I can bring to this team. And now it's about going and doing it on the pitch.
"And as I said before, I know the team, I know the players that we have in this squad and what we're capable of doing and achieving. So yeah, hugely exciting for me and I can't wait to meet all the boys and get going."
Mount could make his unofficial debut for Man United in the team's pre-season opener against Leeds United on July 12.
Matt Law
