Mason Mount on winning the Premier League, Man United's secret weapon and Carrick impact

Mason Mount has just finished managing Wishes United, a team of 11 young football fans living with critical illness, at St George’s Park alongside Luke Shaw as his assistant. "I think the score was 32-2," he smiled.

Mount spoke after a heartwarming Make-A-Wish event funded and organised by himself and his brother. " It's been 18 months of planning," he said. "I tried to get down here as quickly as possible after the late game."

Once the children had gone home, the 27-year-old spoke in a small room at England's training ground, discussing his desire to win the Premier League title, how Michael Carrick spoke to him after he picked up an injury almost immediately after the interim manager's appointment, and much more.

"It was difficult at the beginning because Michael came in and I got injured," Mount said. "I missed a few games, but he was brilliant with me and speaking to me and just saying 'I want you back, you're a massive part of the team, and when you're around the lads you obviously have a big effect'.

"I know where I stand within the group. To be back around the lads and being mentally ready to contribute when I come on to affect the game and finish off the game, that's super important for me."

Mount has enjoyed working with Carrick since returning from a minor muscle injury last month. "It's been really good," he said. "I've been extremely lucky to play for some amazing managers who have a lot of experience. It is really kind of easy to take things from them.

"Thomas [Tuchel] comes to mind. His amount of experience and big trophies that he won. I learned a lot from him, and Lamps obviously, playing for him at Derby and then also at Chelsea .

"He was an attacking midfielder type, so I learned a lot. Michael [Carrick] coming in now... As a midfielder, I looked up to him when he played. He was an absolute maestro in midfield. Since I was very, very young, I want to learn as much as possible like a sponge."

Mount provided insight into Carrick's demeanour, saying: "He's very level-headed, knowledgeable on the game. He knows what he wants going into matches. He will do his analysis on the opposition, will talk us through it on the pitch.

"Like you see on the sidelines, he's very calm and collected. He's been there, he's done it. He knows what it’s like as a player. It’s that calm confidence that he's brought, and I think everyone's really reacted well to that."

Mount continued: "Obviously, having Steve [Holland] along with him, who I already knew before, and bringing Jonathan Woodgate in, they were all people with major experience in the game.

"Jonathan played at a high level, Jonny Evans is there as well, and Steve, who's won the Champions League and been part of big, big teams. There is so much experience within the group now."

Steve Holland, Carrick's assistant manager, worked at Chelsea as Mount progressed through their academy, and the pair worked together again during Gareth Southgate's time in charge of England.

"Definitely," Mount said when asked whether he was happy to see Holland report for work at Carrington in January. "I hadn't seen him in a while. He’s someone who knows so much about football. He's got such a football brain, a lot of experience. He brings that kind of calm confidence.

"If he sees something, he'll know what to say, and he's not afraid to say it. In training. I remember, probably maybe the first or second game that they took charge, and he was giving a team talk in training or huddle or something, and he was talking about the game tomorrow.

"He said 'look we're going to win – we're going to win this game'. It was that confidence from day one. There are probably not many in world football that have his resume and his experience, is there?

"He's a special person, and within football, he kind of goes under the radar, maybe a little bit. He's not in the forefront, but he's someone who is very tactically astute and knows exactly what he wants to see.

"He's always there to give the gaffer a few tips on positionings, or if he sees someone that maybe needs to get changed. The last game, I’m on the bench, and the gaffer came back and spoke to Steve and got his opinion on things. They're always communicating, which is super important."

Mount gives the Wishes United team a pep talk.

Mount has been at United for almost three years, and yet there's a feeling that fans have yet to see the best of him. "I think it's fair," he reflected. "I haven't been able to kind of get that rhythm with the injuries and the setbacks. I’m in a really good position now to kick on.

"I know it's the end of the season, but it's so good to be back with the squad. Once we finish these games, then it's straight away focus on next season and how I can improve going into that one and really be a part."

Mount was producing the most consistent United performances, scoring important goals against Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Wolves, when he picked up an injury in December.

"I think if I look back at this season, yes, I've had injuries and I've missed games, but nowhere near as much as the season before or my first season. It's definitely been a step in the right direction," he said.

"Of course, as a player, first of all, I want to be available, and if I'm not and that's taken away from me, it's really tough to deal with."

He added: "Being able to be back with the lads and being available, it’s the best thing ever because I've been on that other side where you're stuck, and you're not involved, or you are watching from the stands. It makes you just really appreciate being back on the pitch.

"The lads have been playing very, very well. Obviously, we're in a great position now after the Brentford game to really kick on and get Champions League again, so yeah, it's really exciting times."

Mount pictured after his goal at Molineux in December.

Mount's eyes lit up when he mentioned the Champions League, a competition he won with Chelsea in 2021. "As a player, you want to have that expectation, you want to have that pressure to perform," he said.

"Obviously, we haven't had many games this season, but next season is a massive focus on – if we do get Champions League, hopefully we do – and we really kick on again in the league, but also in the Champions League because I think as a team we can really do well.

"United deserve to be in the Champions League, they need to be in the Champions League. The fans deserve it. They need to be watching Champions League football. Hopefully we can have those big nights back."

Asked if United can challenge for titles, he said: "I think we have the quality to. I have a goal of winning the Premier League . Obviously I’ve won the Champions League already, but can we do that? Yes, I think we can as a group. We have to have that kind of mentality.

"It may seem a little bit far away, but you have to have that mentality to really push yourself as a group. We've shown what we can do against the big teams already; Man City, Liverpool , Chelsea, Arsenal, you know.

"We've already shown that this season, so we definitely can do it. It's about now doing it on a bigger stage in the Champions League and doing it more consistently in the Premier League. Hopefully, be a massive part of that moving forward next season. Yeah, it's a goal: I want to win the Premier League."

Mason Mount won the Champions League five years ago.

United have played their fewest games in a campaign for 100 years this term. The schedule will return to normal next term with European football, which will give Mount more opportunities to play, but he believes he can win a place in the first choice XI.

"I will always back myself," he said. "I know what I'm about and know what I can bring, especially to the group. I'm a bit older now. I've got a bit more experience. As you said, it's my third season. It's flown. I love playing football.

"I love being a part of a massive, massive club and really moving forward with this club and getting better and better, and getting it back to the top because that's where this club deserves to be.

"Being a part of that is super special. I've had a little taste of winning something with the club, with the FA Cup . That was unbelievable. It was an amazing feeling, but to do a Premier League... I can't even imagine how special that would be."

A win for United against Liverpool this weekend would officially secure qualification for the Champions League. Carrick is the heavy favourite to land the United job after winning more points than any other manager in the top flight since his appointment as interim head coach and Mount has enjoyed working under the interim boss.

"It's not my call," said Mount of Carrick potentially landing the job. "I don't know what happens. But from my point of view, he's been brilliant for me personally, speaking to me, I really like the way he works, the way he sees the game, the way he looks at the game.

"We'll see what happens, but I think you can see the way we play and how we've performed since he's been in, I think you can see the kind of position we're in now, and we're really pushing on.

"I think if you look back at the season, there were a few games here and there that if they went our way, we would even be higher. So, yes, it's been up and down, but I think we showed the character of the team to really keep kicking on and even in big games we've probably written off a little bit."

Not many pundits will write United off before games next season. They are heading back to the big time with Carrick.

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