rewrite this title Mason Mount: Man Utd midfielder expects Michael Carrick’s side to be Premier League title challengers next season

Mason Mount believes Manchester United boast the quality and mindset to challenge for the Premier League title next season.

The 27-year-old is coming towards the end of his third season at Old Trafford, where injuries and competition for places have reduced him to just 69 appearances since joining from Chelsea.

Mount knows United have yet to see the best of him, but he boasts an unwavering self-belief on top of confidence in the capabilities of a United side that Michael Carrick has on the brink of Champions League qualification.

The midfielder became a European champion with Chelsea in 2021 and believes the Red Devils “have the quality” to fight for the domestic title next term, even with big decisions to be made on the manager and more.

Asked which trophy or accolade he would like before he retired, Mount added: “The Premier League and I think we can do it.

“I dreamt of that as a kid. I dreamt of winning the Champions League.

“To win the Premier League, a domestic title, not many get to say they’ve done that. Next season it could be a possibility if we keep working hard.

“There were a few results that didn’t go our way this year and we find ourselves in third.

“There’s a long way to go and a lot of hard work over pre-season but that’ll be a special goal.”

Asked if there is a confidence that can happen, Mount said: “I think you have to be realistic, but there is a big confidence behind that.

“Some of the games that we played this season – away at Arsenal, Liverpool – we know it is about consistency through the whole season.

“If we can get that right, we’ll be right up there.”

Mount’s praise for ‘brilliant’ Carrick

United are targeting a league title to celebrate their 150th anniversary in 2028 and Mount’s comments highlight the renewed faith engendered by Carrick after Ruben Amorim’s rocky reign.

The England midfielder feels the head coach’s “calm confidence” complements his knowledge and experience of what it takes to be the best, while also praising his individual management.

“It was difficult at the beginning because Michael comes in and I got injured, so I missed a few games,” Mount said.

“But he was brilliant with me and speaking to me and just saying ‘look, I want you back, you’re a massive part of the team and the squad’, and ‘when you’re around the lads you obviously have a big effect’, so I know where I stand within the group.”

Mount targets England recall after this summer’s World Cup

Meanwhile, Mount says Thomas Tuchel knows him inside out and believes he can break into the former Chelsea manager’s England squad after the World Cup.

Mount last played for England in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final loss to France and knows he will not get the chance to add to his 36 caps at this summer’s finals in North America.

Instead, the midfielder is focusing on earning a recall ahead of the home European Championship in 2028.

“I’ve spoken to him [Tuchel],” Euro 2020 final starter Mount said. “He gets to a few games, so I’ve spoken to him a few times after the game.

“I know my relationship with Thomas. He knows me as a player, as a person, inside out.

“The amount of game time that I’ve had and a few setbacks this season, I think I was probably close at one point to getting in and then I had a little setback, and then it’s the rhythm, the momentum.

“It kind of pushes you back a bit, and then you are trying to chase it and get back, so, listen, I fully understand that.

“But, as a player, I’ve got 36 caps for England, I always want to get back in the squad. It’s the pinnacle of being a player to play for your country and represent your country at a major tournament.”

When you’re not in the squad, it hurts. I’ve had both experiences of going to Euros and obviously a World Cup. Being around that is such a special occasion and you never take it for granted for one second.

“As I said, when you’re not in the squad and you’re watching, it is difficult. But for me, I’ve been an England player, but I’m also an England fan. I grew up watching teams when I was younger. And if I’m not there, I’ll be supporting the lads, supporting the manager to go and get the job done.

“We don’t know [about] this summer, but I’ll be ready for next season. [I’m] fired up and I want to get back in. That’s definitely a goal of mine to get back into the national team. So, yeah, I’ve got some work to do.”

Mount continued his comeback off the bench in Monday’s 2-1 win over Brentford, before hot-footing it to St George’s Park for a special event in partnership with Make-A-Wish UK.

After 18 months of planning with his brother Lewis, 11 children living with critical illness got the chance to eat, sleep and train like a footballer during an immersive two-day gathering that culminated in a special match.

Mount funded the event and managed Wishes United, assisted by team-mate Luke Shaw, to a 32-2 victory against Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp’s team of mascots.

“I’m a footballer but there’s more to life than just football,” he said, having worked previously with Make-A-Wish on a Disney project.

“You just see the smiles on the kids’ faces, how much it means to them, and obviously the families as well.

“Sometimes the brothers or sisters and mum and dad, especially brothers and sisters, they can get forgotten about a little bit, so them being involved and being here and going along the process as well is what Make-A-Wish is all about. That’s something that really means a lot to all of us.”