Amorim backs Mount to become key player for Utd & says ‘he wants it really bad’

RUBEN AMORIM has backed Mason Mount to prove why he became European champion.

The new Manchester United boss says the midfielder “really wants it too”.

Mount has had an unfortunate time with injury since moving from Chelsea to Man Utd, with whom he won the Champions League in 2021.

He cost United £55million last July but has seen little return with just seven league starts in that time.

But on Thursday evening, the 25-year-old returned to the Red Devils' first team in his first start in 90 days, playing 59 minutes of their 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.

Amorim has seen enough in that time and in the short time he has had with him at the club's Carrington Training base to convince him that the forgotten man can become a key player for Man United.

He said: “The first thing is he works very hard. And then you also have to understand people. He really wants this. That's the most important thing.

'I have to tell you that I love that child.

“You can see in his eyes that he wants this so badly.

“He has proven to all of you that he is a talented player. He was European champion.

“So we believe in him a lot.”

The biggest obstacle, of course, is avoiding the injuries that ruined his first season.

Injury problems across the squad were indeed the cause of Erik ten Hag's second season as boss.

Mount had confidently talked about putting all that behind him at the start of this season when his hamstring broke in just the second league game against Brighton.

Now he's going again, but Amorim says it's not just about fitness, but also about the belief that will help him get back to the top.

Amorim said: “I know he suffered from injuries, he was not on the pitch, but now he is trying to stay fit and we hope he can stay fit, to show all the talent he has shown, for example in Chelsea.” .

“He has to stay fit. And like all the guys in the team, they are quality players, they need to improve and believe in themselves.”

He certainly saw that belief in Mount against Bodo on Thursday.

It was his excellent move that helped set up the winning goal as he found Bruno Fernandes in the square for Rasmus Hojlund.

'A RIGHT FOOTBALLER'

Amorim said: “He did a great job and you can see in some moments and details that Mason Mount is a real footballer. That's why we believe in him a lot.”

Having played in a 3-4-3 for Chelsea in the past, Amorim believes adapting 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 against Ipswich, Thursday night was a confidence-boosting victory for Amorim in his first game in charge of United at Old Trafford.

He was impressed by the reception he received and will now look to carry the momentum built up from the comeback win over the Norwegians into Sunday's visit to Sean Dyche's Everton.

He said: “It will be a different match with a lot of fighting, long balls, second balls. They have a quality coach who understands the competition, who understands the opponent's moment.

“I hope for a win and I hope to see other things and see my team improve.

“I expect to see different and better things.”