In a recent turn of events, Manchester United has issued a statement defending their new recruit, Mason Mount, who was caught on camera refusing to sign autographs for fans. The video, which quickly went viral on social media, has sparked a heated debate about the responsibilities of professional athletes towards their fans.
Mason Mount, a former Chelsea midfielder, joined Manchester United during the summer transfer window. The video in question shows Mount walking away from two individuals who were attempting to get a shirt signed. The refusal was met with disappointment by some fans, but the club has stepped forward to provide context to the incident.
Manchester United, in their statement, pointed out that the individuals in the video were not ordinary fans but "professional autograph hunters". These individuals, according to the club, regularly pressure players to sign memorabilia, which they later sell for substantial amounts. The club has labeled this as a growing problem at their Carrington training ground and warned of taking action if it continues.
The club's statement read, "Professional autograph hunters are regularly pressuring United's players to sign large quantities of items that they then sell for hundreds of pounds. It has become an everyday occurrence and a major problem at Carrington. These organised groups will block players' cars and harass them as they arrive and leave their workplace. It is becoming really dangerous and you have to worry that it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt."
The club also expressed concern that these professional autograph hunters are preventing young fans from interacting with their favorite players. The club's security staff are reportedly in regular dialogue with the players on how to tackle this issue.
In the video, Mount can be heard saying, "You know I'm not going to sign that," and then apologizing before adding, "I haven't signed anything for the last three days so I don't know why you keep coming back."
Mount made his debut for Manchester United in a friendly match against Leeds United in Oslo, where he showcased his skills and impressed the team's manager, Erik ten Hag. Ten Hag praised Mount as "the complete midfielder" and expressed his belief that Mount would significantly contribute to the team's performance.
The controversy surrounding the autograph refusal has highlighted the challenges faced by professional athletes off the field. It has also sparked a conversation about the boundaries between players and fans, and the commercialization of player-fan interactions. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how Manchester United and other clubs will address this issue.
