The recent Manchester derby will soon be forgotten by the history books and rightly so because it lacked serious quality and threat from either side.
However, Ruben Amorim will find vindication in one United man’s performance who has been criticised endlessly while the manager has stood behind him.
After a game where Man Utd created the better chances and could have won, that player’s performance can change everything for the club in the Europa League.
It’s the tournament that everything hinges on this season for Amorim so the vindication couldn’t have been better timed.
Ruben Amorim’s vindication
Amorim has not been afraid at Manchester United to call out players who have dropped in their standards even the slightest bit.
Just ask Marcus Rashford and the goalkeeping coach Amorim was willing to play ahead of him!
Therefore, when one has heard nothing but praise from him for one player who has been widely criticised by the fanbase, Amorim can feel rightly vindicated when he performs.
That is what happened in the Manchester derby, albeit in a small sample size, as Mason Mount came off the bench to show a glimpse of what he can offer.
This was only Mount’s second appearances since he came off in the Manchester derby last year after less than 15 minutes but the rust was already shaken off.
He was sharp in tackles, smart positionally, and almost wrote a fairytale script with a venomous volley which was blocked in the box.
Amorim has repeatedly propped up Mount as someone he’s eager to work with while the fans are just waiting to see him work consistently first.
The game against City showed that Amorim has a genuine option on his hands and he’s not giving up on him.
Mason Mount changes everything in Europa League
In the absence of Mount, who, in Amorim’s ideal XI will probably be a starter, the manager has had to fit square pegs in round holes.
Almost immediately, Mount’s introduction will allow Garnacho to thrive in a role that suits him best right now – a spark plug off the bench against tired defences.
Mount and Bruno Fernandes complement each other’s game perfectly so it will also allow Casemiro to continue his resurgence alongside Manuel Ugarte in the deeper role.
Mount becomes another ball progressor and tight-space operator in a team that doesn’t have many players of that kind.
United were one of favourites for the Europa League but Mount’s return and his looking good immediately makes them the outright favourite.
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