‘I love that kid’ – Ruben Amorim backs Mason Mount to become key player for Man Utd and says ‘he wants it really bad’
RUBEN AMORIM has backed Mason Mount to prove why he became a European Champion.
The new Manchester United boss says the midfielder “wants it really bad” too.
Mount has had an unhappy time with injury since he moved to Man Utd from Chelsea with whom he won the Champions League in 2021.
He cost United £55million in July of last year but there has been little in the way of returns with just seven league starts in that time.
But on Thursday night the 25-year-old returned to the Red Devils first team in his first start for 90 days playing 59 minutes of their 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
Amorim saw enough in that time and in the short time he has had with him at the club’s Carrington Training base to convince him the forgotten can become a main man at Man United.
He said: “The first thing is he is working really hard. And then you have to understand the human also. He wants this really badly. That is the most important thing.
“I have to tell you I love that kid.
“You can see in his eyes that he wants this so bad.
“He has proven to all of you that he is a talented player. He was European champion.
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“So we believe a lot in him.”
Of course, the main obstacle is steering clear of those injuries that ruined his first season.
Indeed, injury problems throughout the squad that plagued Erik ten Hag’s second season as boss.
Mount was confidently talking of putting that all behind him at the start of this campaign when his hamstring went in only the second league game at Brighton.
Now he goes again but Amorim says it is not just about fitness but belief that will help take him back to the top.
Amorim said: “I know he was suffering from injuries, he was not on the pitch, but now he’s trying to stay fit and we hope he can continue to be fit, to show all the talent that he’s shown, for example, in Chelsea.
“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.”
He certainly saw that belief in Mount against Bodo on Thursday.
It was his superb flick that helped to set up the winning goal as he found Bruno Fernandes to square for Rasmus Hojlund.
‘A PROPER FOOTBALLER’
Amorim said: “He did a great job, and you see in some moments and details that Mason Mount is a proper footballer. So we believe a lot in him.”
Having played in a 3-4-3 at Chelsea in the past Amorim believes the adjustment to the style he is trying to bring to Old Trafford will not be a problem for the midfielder.
The Portuguese said: “He played in this system, so it’s perfect for him.”
After an opening draw away to Ipswich, Thursday night was a confidence boosting victory for Amorim in his first game in charge of United at Old Trafford.
He was blown away by the reception he got and is now aiming to take the momentum built from the comeback victory over the Norwegians into Sunday’s visit of Sean Dyche’s Everton.
He said: “It’s going to be a different match with a lot of fighting, long balls, second balls. They have a quality coach that understands the league, that understands the moment of the opponent.
“I hope for a win and I hope to see different things and to see my team improve.
“I expect to see different things and better things.”
Man Utd ratings vs Bodo/Glimt
MANCHESTER UNITED beat Bodo/Glimt 3-2 as Ruben Amorim made his Old Trafford bow.
The Red Devils made the dream start as Alejandro Garnacho scored after just 48 seconds.
But Bodo/Glimt hit back with two quick-fire goals before a Rasmus Hojlund double saw the Norwegians off.
It marks Amorim’s first win as Man Utd boss following his 1-1 draw with Ipswich on Sunday.