Eyebrows were raised following Ruben Amorim’s decision to select Mason Mount on Saturday afternoon, with summer arrival Matheus Cunha demoted to the bench.
In what some publicised as a must-win fixture against newly-promoted Sunderland, goals were essential for a side that has struggled despite leading the league in the vast majority of attacking metrics.
Nevertheless, the former Chelsea man continued his promising early-season form and opened the scoring after eight minutes, settling Manchester nerves with a passage of technical mastery in forward composure.
Cunha inevitably replaced United’s number seven midway through the second half, with many in the pressbox suggesting Mount’s 65-minute display had earned recognition as the game’s standout performer.
Without a doubt, his Brazilian teammate will play a significant role alongside Bryan Mbeumo throughout the campaign, and those suggesting otherwise are drastically misinformed.
However, the importance of multiple quality options cannot be overstated for any Premier League side with growing aspirations, and following numerous injury setbacks, Mount appears primed to shine.
Mason Mount continues to impress at Manchester United
With seven appearances under his belt this season, Mount has impressed with a combination of shrewd interplay, technical proficiency, and a forward-thinking mentality that has yielded a goal and an assist from 300 minutes of exposure.
He was a standout performer against Sunderland, fittingly ending an 18-pass move which equalled the most for a goal in the division this campaign.
Truthfully, his all-action philosophy has been a hallmark of his approach during these early stages.
The former Champions League winner added to an impressive collection with 37 touches and total engagement on the left flank, embodying the defensive and transitional requirements of his Portuguese tactician.
Mason Mount heatmap vs Sunderland
Understandably, many remain apprehensive about the former London starlet due to the magnitude of injuries he has encountered since making the trip North.
In total, Mount has been forced to sit out 52 fixtures due to five separate setbacks, only one fewer than the 53 appearances he has managed.
Say what you will about admiration of talent and character, but that is a worrying statistic.
That said, Carrington has undergone a multi-million-pound makeover, featuring an elite composition of medical facilities and personnel. Early reports suggest this has proven advantageous in alleviating the absence of first-team players.
Furthermore, strict in-game management has been implemented, with Mason yet to see the 70th minute of a fixture.
Although he was kept out of the Manchester derby due to a knock received during the victory against Burnley, the nature of this isolated issue was deemed nothing more than minor.
Amorim has regularly spoken about the importance of influential characters in his dressing room, with a sustained focus on fostering a desirable culture around players like Bruno Fernandes and Mount.
This message has been reinforced on the ground, with sources emphasising a shared belief in the attacking midfielder in April.
“Ruben adores him [Mount], as we all know from his public comments, but he really admires his mental fortitude and desire to help his teammates.
“You can not put a price on what he brings to the ground and the dresser – I love him. With any luck, he’s over the worst of this, and United supporters can start enjoying what we see every day.”
Thankfully, there is merit in this statement following a calculated individual approach, with appearances in all but one of the 21 fixtures that followed.
With the most prominent years of his career yet to come, the Old Trafford faithful are beginning to see a return on a significant investment, with hope that Mase can continue to shine in his famous shirt.
Given the unyielding backing he possesses from a hugely impressed coaching team, there is every opportunity for a long-awaited breakthrough year in red.
What are your thoughts on Mason Mount during the opening stages of the season? Let us know in the comments or on our socials.
Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com. Heatmap via sofascore.com.
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