Thursday was the best Mason Mount has played for Manchester United since his £55m move back in 2023.
Many will have already written Mason Mount off at Old Trafford, and nobody could be blamed for doing so as he showed virtually nothing to give confidence he would improve.
The 26-year-old Manchester United star was always injured, missing large periods of this season as well, but has looked like a different class since his return to the side.
Mount emerged from the bench to score two great goals for United, ending any concern or doubt over progression into the final. This cameo has led to plenty of praise for Mount from Rasmus Hojlund, who admitted that he was delighted for his teammate.
It was the first time Mount really filled the number seven shirt, channelling the club legends who have worn it before him. Mount also proved Ruben Amorim correct after he tipped the midfielder to be perfect for the 3-4-2-1 system.
Mount was one of United’s best players despite just playing 28 minutes, and in doing so, he’s also equalled a record David Beckham had held since 2003.
Mason Mount scores two goals off the bench for Manchester United
There won’t have been a fan in the stadium who was not delighted for Mount on Thursday, as he scored both his goals brilliantly to finally announce himself at the club.
Mount’s first goal came as he benefited from Leny Yoro providing an assist with some superb dribbling, before Mount spun on the spot, placing his shot into the far corner.
The second was from almost the halfway line after a mistake from the goalkeeper, and it was the second that put Mount into the United history books.
By scoring twice in a European knockout from the bench, Mount became the first United player to do so since 2003 when Beckham did it against Real Madrid.
Beckham did it in a 4-3 win over Los Blancos in the quarter-final second leg in which Ronaldo Nazario scored three, but it was Beckham who stole all the headlines.
By joining Beckham in the history books, he has finally written a page at United, two years after he was signed to do so, but it is not too late as he proved on Thursday.
Mason Mount will hope this is only the beginning of his Manchester United career
Mount’s goals were excellent, and when they went in, the number seven exuded a confidence which has not been seen since he arrived from Chelsea. He was smirking and celebrating with fans, likely in the knowledge that this is only the beginning.
MUTV pundit Wes Brown said everyone knew Mount could perform to these levels, but he just needed to stay fit, and now this has been proved as his stats from SofaScore demonstrate.
Mount not only scored two goals, but was almost perfect in his performance across the pitch as he won four duels, three tackles and 100 per cent of his passes.
If Mount can perform like this week in week out, he will become an undeniable star of Amorim’s team, as the 40-year-old always thought he would be. He has three goals in two games, which has seen him finally catch fire for United, with more impact in the past week than the previous 22 months.
All he needs to do is stay fit.
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