Mount ‘ready’ as Rashford dreams of Champions League

Mason Mount has said Manchester United want to win “as many trophies as we can get” in 2023/24, when the midfielder hopes to play a more regular role after starting only five Premier League matches last season because of a calf injury.

Former England international Mount has rarely featured since joining United for £55 million from Chelsea in June 2023 but has played the first 45 minutes of all of their first three pre-season friendlies.

“This is such an important time for us as a group,” the 25-year-old told MUTV. “We don’t normally get loads of time to prepare for games during the season. You have maybe a few days if you’re having two games a week.

“Now it’s time for us to perform. We ready for it and [want to win] as many trophies as we can get, as many games as we can. That’s our focus throughout the whole group. We’re definitely on the same page.”

Boys on the bikes 🚲#MUFC || #MUTOUR24 pic.twitter.com/RfkoIiazUf

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 31, 2024

Rashford: United can win Champions League

Since the creation of the Premier League, United have only once won fewer top-flight games than the 18 they registered last season, finishing eighth – their lowest position since 1989/90.

Mount featured in 20 of their 52 matches, coming on as a late substitute in their surprise 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 25.

A 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in California on Sunday was United’s second loss of their pre-season programme. “We got some valuable minutes against a good opposition… but we’re looking to win more games,” striker Marcus Rashford said, adding that the intense heat of their US tour is “better than training in England”.

Asked about his ambitions as a youngster, Rashford replied: “In the beginning, it was just about playing for Man United. And when you get there, it’s about winning.

Hands up if you’re ready for Real Betis! 😀🙋‍♂️#MUFC || #MUTOUR24 pic.twitter.com/qUyfHxOAst

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 31, 2024

“I still have dreams of winning the big trophies – the Premier League and Champions League – with Man United. Hopefully we can get that done.”

Rashford has won the FA Cup and EFL Cup twice each with the club, as well as the 2016/17 Uefa Europa League. The 26-year-old is aiming to improve on an underwhelming campaign, producing eight goals and five assists in 43 appearances in all competitions.

Man United fixtures, schedule

United face Real Betis in San Diego on Thursday (3am BST) and Liverpool in South Carolina on Sunday (12.30am) before returning to England to meet Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 10 (3pm).

They begin their Premier League campaign at home to Fulham on August 16 (8pm), when they will hope to avoid a repeat of their last-gasp defeat to the Cottagers at Old Trafford in February.