Ruben Amorim believes in forgotten Man Utd star who he considers to be 'a proper footballer'
Forgotten England midfielder Mason Mount seems certain to thrive under new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim after a troubled 16 months at the start of his career at Old Trafford
To say Mason Mount’s Manchester United career has not yet taken off must be one of football’s greatest understatements. It has barely reached the runway. It has only just left the stand.
After a happy hour against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, some supporters took to social media to suggest it was Mount’s finest game in a United shirt. Considering it was only his ninth start in 16 months, that is hardly the fanciest of accolades.
But Ruben Amorim has already seen enough of Mount in the flesh to have his previous instincts confirmed. The 25-year-old midfielder - once a go-to player for country and a previous club - has the attributes and qualities to be a bespoke Amorim operator. He is right up Ruben’s street - as a character, as well as a player.
“The first thing is that he is working really hard,” says Amorim. “And then you have to understand the human also. He wants this really badly. That is the most important thing.”
When Mount arrived at Old Trafford in a £55million move in July, 2023, United billed it as some sort of coup. He got the full welcome-video treatment and a big deal was made of him taking the number seven shirt - the shirt of George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But his time at United has been blighted by injury and when he has featured, he has hardly been overly convincing, having scored one goal and made no assists in 18 Premier League appearances. Amorim, however, believes no-one should doubt Mount’s qualities. He certainly doesn’t.
“He has proven to all of you that he is a talented player,” declares the United manager, preparing his side for Sunday’s home meeting with Everton. "He was European champion - so we believe a lot in him. He has to stay fit. And like all the guys in the team, they are quality players, they have to improve and believe in themselves.”
Mount became European champion in 2021, featuring in the Chelsea line-up that defeated Manchester City by the only goal in Porto. He was then a midfield mainstay of England’s Euro campaign that summer, starting for Gareth Southgate in the final against Italy.
But his appearance as a 79th minute substitute in the World Cup quarter-final loss to France in Qatar in 2022 was his 36th and last cap. Given a good injury-free run under Amorim, Mount could yet come to the attention of new England manager Thomas Tuchel but his first priority will be to establish himself as a regular starter for the new United regime.
And judging by Amorim’s comments, Mount has every chance of being a key figure in the new era at Old Trafford. Amorim says: “He did a great job (against Bodo/Glimt) - he did 60 minutes with high intensity and you see in some moments and details that Mason Mount is a proper footballer. We believe a lot … and we especially believe a lot in Mason Mount.”
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