Manchester United has issued a response to a video that went viral featuring Mason Mount, where he made it clear that he would not be signing fans’ shirts. Mount, who recently joined the Red Devils from Chelsea for a significant sum of £55 million, made his debut in a pre-season victory against Leeds United in Oslo on Wednesday.
Unfortunately, the midfielder has already found himself at the center of a social media debate following the emergence of a video in which he declined to sign shirts for loyal fans who have been avidly supporting him since his move to Old Trafford. In the video, Mount can be heard saying, “You know I ain’t signing it. I haven’t signed for the last three days, so I don’t know why you lot keep coming back.”
In response to the situation, Manchester United has come to Mount’s defense, acknowledging the distressing regularity of such incidents. The club’s statement expressed the view that Mount does not deserve to be subjected to this kind of treatment, considering his friendly demeanor towards everyone he has encountered since joining United.
The statement shed light on the problem of professional autograph hunters who put undue pressure on the club’s players to sign large quantities of merchandise, which they then sell at exorbitant prices. This issue has become increasingly prevalent at Carrington, the team’s training ground, with organized groups even resorting to blocking players’ cars and harassing them upon arrival and departure. The situation has escalated to the point where it poses a genuine danger, and there are concerns that someone may eventually get hurt.
Moreover, the presence of these organized groups hampers the chances for young fans, who simply wish to engage with their idols, to interact with the players. The players are unable to stop and take pictures with these fans without being accosted by the autograph hunters. Consequently, this frustrating situation affects both the players and the young supporters who miss out on meaningful interactions.
Recognizing the gravity of the issue, the club’s security staff is in constant communication with the players to devise strategies to curb this problem. The statement concludes by warning that if this behavior persists, the club will not hesitate to take appropriate action.
Overall, Manchester United has taken a firm stance against the autograph-hunting problem that has plagued the club and expressed solidarity with Mason Mount, highlighting the need to protect the safety of players while allowing genuine fan interactions to thrive.