Manchester United put a stop to their two-game losing skid with a comeback win over Plzen in the Europa League that puts their destiny in their own hands.
Ruben Amorim’s team will now avoid an extra stage and two extra fixtures by finishing in the top eight by winning at least one of their remaining games.
Rasmus Hojlund’s heroics were needed vs Plzen after the team got off to a laborious start because the starting XI ultimately ended up having too many passengers.
Andre Onana’s error compounded the worries but Amorim’s throw of dice with subs paid dividends, especially the introduction of Antony and Mason Mount along with Hojlund.
The subs were the heroes of the game and MUTV pundit Ben Thornley picked one player out after the game as the ‘main catalyst’ for the victory.
Ben Thornley lavishes praise on Mason Mount
Mason Mount came on in place of the ineffectual Joshua Zirkzee at the hour mark as Amorim is still being cautious with using Mount freely.
His forward running and understanding of spaces and pressing triggers immediately made him a unique threat to the opposition defence.
He always showed as a passing option was repeatedly in food areas which threatened Plzen. As a result, he had two guilt-edged opportunities which he squandered.
The rustiness from not playing much is clear to see but so are the fundamentals which made him such a threat at his peak for Chelsea.
Thornley called him the ‘main catalyst’ for the win despite Hojlund scoring two goals.
He said: “Every time he goes on to that pitch, I’m so desperate, wanting him to do well and I’m sure he is, along with his family, and anybody else that is a Mason Mount supporter.
“I think he was was the main catalyst for United, when we went a goal down today and I hope he plays on Sunday.”
Mount playing only 30 minutes here means he could line up from the start against Manchester City, where United will need all the running they can get to combat City’s game.
Mason Mount’s breakout can begin at Man City
Mount’s problems since arriving at Old Trafford have been well-documented, with encouraging cameos halted by long-term injuries at every instance.
Amorim has been using him cautiously since his return from the latest one and as a result, he finally has some minutes in his legs consistently and has looked sharper because of it.
The Plzen game was the biggest example yet of how crucial Mount can be in Amorim’s system which urges the players to play as near the opposition box as possible.
In small spaces, Mount’s running and positioning come to the fore and it also creates space for others around him.
His contribution won’t always be seen on the scoresheet but his style of play is such that it will make the team better for his presence.
If he can add the finishing touches to his form, which should come as he shakes off the rest and gains match sharpness, United will have a truly formidable player more than a year after they signed him.
Better late than never!
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