Mason Mount wants to replicate Cristiano Ronaldo goal he perfected as a youth

Mason Mount wants to recreate an iconic Cristiano Ronaldo moment he witnessed live as a youngster.

Mount finally completed his transfer from Chelsea to Manchester United earlier this week for an initial £55m and he has stepped into big shoes after taking the legendary number seven shirt, worn previously by the likes of George Best, Eric Cantana, David Beckham and Ronaldo.

One of the latter’s most memorable United strikes came in a league match against Portsmouth at Old Trafford in 2008, a vicious dipping free-kick which flew right into the top corner. Mount, a boyhood Pompey fan, was in the away end and was soon trying to perfect Ronaldo’s technique.

Around the same time, a young Mount told a TV camera: “I try to base my free-kicks on Ronaldo: hit the ball by the valve and it moves. That’s all you do. Top corner.”

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Footage then showed Mount scoring with a free-kick in true Ronaldo-style, with the clip in question recently doing the rounds on social media.

Recalling witnessing that special moment, Mount told United club media this week: “I was probably around 10, I was there in the away end, supporting my team Pompey and was able to witness that special moment.”

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“I think that video of me taking the free-kick in training was after that day.”

Mount also revealed he knew his time was up at Chelsea months ago. He said: “Several months ago I think it became clear that I wasn’t in Chelsea’s plans moving forward and once I knew that United were involved, my decision was made.

“It’s a massive club, huge, iconic players have played here, and I wanted to be a part of that from the beginning. Getting in early, ready for pre-season to start, was a main objective of mine as well.”

Mount was so keen to complete the move, he cut short a family holiday to Disneyland.

“We had a little trip to Disneyland, for the niece mainly – I enjoyed it as well, of course!,” he joked. “We came back a bit early just to make our way up here, drive up here, see what the trip’s like and everything. But it was well worth it, and it’s great to be up here now.

“It’s been an amazing couple of days, coming here, seeing everyone, meeting everyone at the training ground, such a warm welcome. I feel very much at home already.”

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