If Ruben Amorim was under any doubts before, the coverage surrounding his first training session at Manchester United should make it clear how massive a club he has joined.
There has been careful study of every minute of Ruben Amorim’s first training session at Carrington as he put the players through their paces.
Only 11 first-team players were available to him due to the international break, which meant many youngsters were called up to make up the numbers.
Still, it didn’t stop Man Utd fans from scrutinising it closely for any signs of what he might do at the helm, with his praise during training for one player standing out in particular.
Ruben Amorim shouts out Mason Mount praise
If Amorim had to single out one player for whom the difference between “ability” and “potential” is the biggest in the current Man Utd squad, it would probably be Mason Mount.
After all, this is a player who has been Chelsea’s Player of the Year in a Champions League-winning campaign and a favourite of every manager he’s played under.
That is due to his footballing intelligence and his ability to contribute in multiple phases of play as a selfless team player.
Unfortunately, he rarely gets the chance to showcase those abilities in a United shirt due to constant injuries that break up his rhythm.
Therefore, his availability for Amorim’s initial training sessions is a huge boost since he doesn’t miss out on valuable first learning.
Right away, he looked to have impressed Amorim with his movement around the box. In one training video, Amorim could be heard shouting, “Good movement, Mase”, after the midfielder latched onto a diagonal at the edge of the box.
It would do wonders for Mount’s confidence and United’s investment if he can find a place for himself in Amorim’s setup. Early signs are promising.
Mason Mount’s fit in Ruben Amorim’s XI
One thing that’s working in Mount’s favour when it comes to finding his place in the XI is that his fit is more seamless than it was under the previous regime.
That is ironic because Erik ten Hag waxed lyrical about Mount but there was never a straight spot for him in the team due to a Bruno Fernandes-shaped block.
In a 3-4-3, however, Mount can play in any of the four midfield spots depending upon how Amorim sets up to counter opposition threats.
In games where United are expected to dominate possession, he can be one of the two defensive midfielders stitching attack to defence as a ball carrier and the first line of defensive pressing.
He can also play as one of two attacking midfielders, a role he was picked for in Amorim’s first training session alongside Amad and behind Marcus Rashford.
Ultimately, Mount is arguably Amorim’s biggest project at Old Trafford and if he can unlock United’s £55 million investment, it would be a huge skill to his bow that already has Man Utd fans excited.
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