Mount: European qualification the aim for Manchester United

Manchester United's focus this season is returning to the European stage after a dismal 2024-25 campaign, says Mason Mount. 

United finished the Premier League season in 15th, their lowest league position since 1989-90. 

They also accumulated their fewest points in a top-flight season since their relegation campaign in 1973-74, while also suffering 18 league defeats, their most since that aforementioned season. 

Ruben Amorim's team missed the chance to salvage a spot in the Champions League in 2025-26 after losing 1-0 to Tottenham in the Europa League final. 

This will be the Red Devils' first season without European football since 2014-15, and Mount expressed his desire to help the club return to Europe next season. 

"Europe is a massive, massive thing for us," Mount said. "The Champions League would be amazing for us and a group we want to be playing in that competition.

"But I'd say Europe. I think that's the focus."

After finishing 23 points behind seventh-placed Nottingham Forest last season, Amorim will be looking for key players like Mount to perform on a more consistent basis. 

Since his reported £55m transfer from Chelsea in July 2023, Mount has struggled with injuries and form, and has now fallen out of favour with the England setup. 

The midfielder has scored just four goals in all competitions for United in 47 appearances. 

The Red Devils have already spent more than £125m to sign the likes of Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbuemo from Brentford, with further arrivals expected. 

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson continue to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, though no bids have been made for either player. 

However, United still need to offload players, with outcasts Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia still expected to leave the club. 

United have travelled to the United States for their pre-season, with games against West Ham United, Bournemouth and Everton in the Premier League Summer Series. 

They begin the season by welcoming Arsenal to Old Trafford on 17 August.