Eric ten Hag is the man who inspired Man United to sign him mason mount From chelsea In July 2023. The Dutchman was so convinced of Mount’s importance to the way he wanted to play that he still hasn’t shaken the belief that the midfielder’s unavailability during their time together at Old Trafford was one of the reasons that ultimately led to Ten Hag’s sacking.
could only start mount seven Premier League The game for Ten Haag in about 15 months. The former United boss still thinks – almost a year on – that things could have been different if he had been fit more often.
, Big Premier League issues: Will Amorim, Ange stay? Is advice disappearing?
, How to fix Man United in 4 steps by copying Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City
, Busting football myths: Man Utd, Barca need tactical flexibility
Although he has returned to the United XI in recent weeks, Mount’s injury problems have not completely disappeared since the arrival of Ruben Amorim. This has left Amorim in the same situation as Ten Haag in trying to use England Efforts are being made to minimize the risk of further spells on the sidelines, as well as internationals, as much as possible. despite scoring against Sunderland – his first goal of the season and his first Premier League goal at Old Trafford – Mount was substituted in the 66th minute.
It doesn’t matter that he was playing well. In fact, it had already been decided that he would not be able to play for more than an hour.
“He performed really well,” Amorim said afterward. “He had a lot of minutes because we have to manage when a player like Mason is coming back from injury.”
For Amorim, keeping Mount on the pitch for an extra half hour was not a game worth playing. liverpool To arrive at Anfield after the international break. It’s a potentially tricky start to a four-game stretch that also includes fixtures brighton and hove albion, nottingham forest And Tottenham HotspurA stretch that could go a long way in deciding whether Amorim is still in charge at Christmas.
Mount was one of the first United players Amorim met at the club’s Carrington training ground when he arrived in Manchester to take over from Ten Hague in November 2024. Amid another period of injury recovery, Mount was in the gym at the training ground while most of his teammates were either on holiday or on international duty. It was the first glimpse of the attitude Amorim has come to love.
The Portuguese coach has attempted to free the dressing room from negative influences. The result was that both had to depart marcus rashford And Alejandro GarnachoMeanwhile, Mount has been held up as an example of what he wants in his team. The England star has attended team meetings despite being injured to give himself the best chance of getting back into the team as soon as possible.
The 26-year-old is often the last player to leave Carrington as he takes long ice baths and saunas after training in an effort to stay fit. Instead of hopping on a plane during the international break, he opted to spend his free time with his family and on the golf course.
Having played in a similar tactical setup under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, Mount has also taken it upon himself to help other players understand Amorim’s system.
“I think I have experience playing in similar formations [Amorim] Like it,” Mount said after his goal against Sunderland. “I’ve played it before. So, knowing the roles and what he wants from the team, it resonates with me because I have done it before.
“I think in the beginning, especially, it was something that might [Amorim] can lean on me [for] Because I know the positions.”
Along with getting to know the system, Mount offers something different to Amorim. He was chosen to start against Sunderland in place of the £62.5 million summer signing mattheus cunha,
This was not a straightforward decision. Despite United’s problems so far this season, Cunha has been good, but he is a forward rather than a midfielder. For mounts, it’s the other way around.
With signatures of both Cunha and partner Samar Brian Mbeumo United have more attacking threat in the team. Mount, however, knows how to press effectively, close down space in possession and help the two deeper midfielders – usually bruno fernandes And casemiro — When United are in possession. It is a vital component to a system that faces three-man midfields most weeks in the Premier League.
“I think Mason Mount can give us more of a midfielder than a winger or a striker,” Amorim said after the defeat to Sunderland. “He can defend really well. He’s really smart, he can attack really well. Those are the attributes we’re going to see when we look at every opponent.”
“Features” Amorim felt he will also need at Anfield this weekend in a pressure moment against Sunderland.
When asked about his assessment of Amorim, Mount said, “I see myself as a catalyst to bring a lot of energy to the team and sometimes push the press.”
“That’s what I always focus on, helping people around me and really bringing the energy.”
Energy is one of the things Amorim asks for from his players, especially at the beginning of games. During his 11-month reign, Amorim’s team have conceded the first goal in 22 of their 34 Premier League matches, often leaving United behind before the game has really even started.
Amorim has previously stated privately in front of his team and in news conferences that United do not deal well with failure. So the need to be on the front foot immediately is even more important.
Mount will be asked to be a key part of that effort against Liverpool on Sunday, just as he was against Sunderland when he converted United’s first clear chance on goal after just eight minutes. A big performance at Anfield would be another sign to Tuchel that Mount deserves an England return in the months ahead world cup,
The pair had a long chat after impressing against Mount armory There’s still a chance for a spot on the plane to North America on the opening weekend of the season, and next summer. Tuchel knows all about his qualities after making him a central part of the Chelsea team that won the UEFA Champions League in 2021.
That will be little consolation for ten Hag, who never saw the best of Mount, but he is finally showing how important he can be to his United successor.
