The bitter truth about Mount

Mason Mount needs to make an effort to rediscover himself.

The Europa League semi-final second leg at Old Trafford saw a rare display of Mount – decisive, sharp, and, most importantly, fit. His neat turn and exquisite finish rescued Manchester United from a nightmare that was about to become a reality.

But remember, Manchester United were leading 3-0 from the first leg. It wasn't until Bilbao took the lead at Old Trafford that Mount found the catalyst to awaken.

It wasn't the performance of an expensive star, but the inevitable reaction of someone who had been in the shadows for too long. For the past two seasons, memories of Mount seemed to be tied only to the treatment room and the substitutes' bench.

Around £70 million – that's the price Manchester United paid to bring Mount from Chelsea. The figure shocked many, but even more shocking are the statistics: only 25 appearances, 3 goals, and 2 assists in almost two Premier League seasons. A mere 1,261 minutes played in England's top flight – even fewer than some young players recently promoted from the academy.

Mount was completely unremarkable in a Manchester United shirt.

Every midfielder has their lows, but Mount didn't just have lows – he practically disappeared. Six injuries, two long-term absences, and countless games missed. Manchester United's number 7 became synonymous with absences.

"As soon as I knew I had the chance to wear the number 7, I didn't hesitate," Mount once said. But perhaps he should have hesitated more. The shirt, once worn by George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo, is not a gift, but a responsibility. And Mount has never once proven himself worthy of it.

This isn't a youthful, spirited Ronaldo, nor a proud Cantona, and certainly not Beckham with his trademark crosses. Mount is a technically gifted midfielder with intelligent pressing and movement – but he lacks the genius to be associated with the legendary number 7.

Manchester United are trapped in a vicious cycle. They buy the wrong players, use them in the wrong positions, and then sell them off cheaply. Mount hasn't reached the point where he needs to be sold off, but he's a testament to the Red Devils' blind transfer strategy.

Mason Mount's future will depend heavily on his performances in the coming period.

Chelsea sold Mount not because they didn't see his talent, but because they understood that Mount was entering a period of declining fitness, and £70 million was an irresistible price. Manchester United, in their desperate search for an English identity, lost the necessary composure.

The upcoming Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur is not the place for Mount to "redeem himself"—a term that sounds far too grandiose for a player who has done nothing to atone for besides injuries. It's an opportunity for him to prove his remaining value—if any—amidst his increasingly vulnerable physique and inconsistent form.

Bilbao will not be the end of Mount's story at Manchester United, nor the beginning of a new era. It's just a stop on the Red Devils' journey to rediscover their identity and Mount's rediscovery.

Mount isn't bad, nor is he incompetent. He's just an average player who's been overextended in an unsuitable environment. Whether he wins or loses at Bilbao, Mount will still have to face a bitter truth: he's no longer the promising young Chelsea star, but a 26-year-old midfielder with unreliable fitness and a declining value.

Manchester United needs more than that to return to the top. And Mount, with all his effort and determination, can hardly reverse the inevitable process: the gradual fading of fame on the Old Trafford pitch, where big names are constantly brought in and swallowed up by the pressure.