Mason Mount has made it clear that Manchester United's primary objective for the upcoming 2025-26 season is to secure a place in European competition. After a disappointing 15th-place finish last season, which marked only the second time since the 1980s that the club will not feature in European football, Mount expressed the urgency and importance of returning to Europe. He stated, “Europe is a massive, massive thing for us. The Champions League would be amazing for us and as a group we want to be playing in that competition. But I'd say Europe. I think that's the focus.”

The absence of European matches at Old Trafford for the first time since the 2014-15 season has heightened expectations for improvement. Last season, United finished significantly behind seventh-placed Nottingham Forest, who claimed the final European qualifying spot. To address their shortcomings, United has already invested over £125 million in new players, including forwards Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, as they aim to bolster their attacking options.

As the club prepares for a busy pre-season tour in the United States, where they will face West Ham, Bournemouth, and Everton, United is also exploring further additions to their squad. There have been rumors linking them to strikers like Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, although no imminent deals have been confirmed.

Moreover, some players, including Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia, are training separately at the club’s Carrington facility as they navigate uncertain futures. With clubs like Real Betis and Juventus showing interest in Garnacho and Sancho, respectively, the upcoming weeks will be crucial for United as they work to reshape their squad and aim for a successful return to European football.

Mount’s comments reflect a collective ambition at Manchester United to restore the club’s status among Europe’s elite, and the pressure will be on the squad to deliver results in the new season.