Mason Mount was Manchester United’s Europa League hero on Thursday, striking a crucial blow for the Old Trafford side against Athletic Club.
Although the Red Devils ultimately claimed a 4-1 win on the night and a comfortable 7-1 victory on aggregate, there was a period when it seemed their 3-0 first-leg lead would be undone.
Mount, though, came off the bench to score a terrific equaliser that may just be worth more than the €64 million transfer fee Man Utd paid Chelsea for him. He would later strike the final blow in the match to underline the dominance of Ruben Amorim’s side.
It’s been a frustrating 18 months for the England star since joining the Old Trafford side, with his time at the Red Devils plagued with injury problems. He has already been written off as a flop, yet his strike against Thursday will be seen as a pivotal moment in United’s season and even the club’s modern history should it fire them back into the Champions League.
There were very real doubts over their progression after a timid first half, in which the guests led thanks to a goal from Miguel Jauregizar. Mount, though, shook United out of their lethargy with a smart turn and shot that abruptly halted any comeback and sends United to within 90 minutes of a Champions League jackpot.
A mediocre Tottenham Hotspur is all that stands between the Red Devils and millions.
How much is Champions League football worth?
It was estimated that Arsenal would have claim as much as €100 million from prize money if they had won the Champions League this season, while even a run to the round of 16 would have been worth around €80m to the Gunners. And that’s before the spinoff benefits of increased sponsorship, commercial and gate receipts.
It’s hard to understate what reaching the European Cup next season would mean for United. It would instantly transform their position with regards to Financial Fair Play (FFP) and give them the ability to make better summer signings.
Moise Kean is being lined up as a summer signing if they cannot reach the Champions League, a more established and proven alternative will arrive if they are back among the big boys. Amorim’s project can accelerate exponentially.
Mount’s goal during a period of significant uncertainty, then, has gone some way to paying off his transfer fee and more, potentially transforming his whole future at Man Utd as well as the fabric of the club itself.
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