ESPN reported that Ten Hag had advocated for Manchester United to sign Mount from Chelsea in July 2023. The Dutch coach firmly believed that Mount was crucial to his tactical system and even believed that Mount's frequent injuries were one of the reasons for his eventual sacking.
During Ten Hag's tenure, Mount only started seven games in the Premier League. Although almost a year has passed, the former Manchester United boss still believes things could be different if Mount featured more regularly.
Although Mount has returned to Manchester United's starting lineup in recent weeks, his injury problems have not completely disappeared since Amorim took over the team. This leaves Amorim facing a similar dilemma to Ten Hag: trying to use the England international as much as possible while minimizing the risk of him getting injured again. Even after scoring his first goal of the season against Sunderland and his first Premier League goal at Old Trafford, Mount was substituted in the 66th minute.
For Amorim, letting Mount play an extra half hour before Liverpool's away game after the international break is not worth the risk. The next four games, which also include games against Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur, will determine whether Amorim continues to coach United at Christmas.
Mount was one of the first players Amorim met when he arrived at Manchester United's Carrington training base in November 2024. At the time, most of his teammates were on vacation or participating in national team matches, while Mount, who was recovering from injury, was training in the gym. This was the first time Amorim had seen Mount’s attitude and he liked it very much.
The Portuguese coach tried to clear away the negative influence in the locker room, which led to the departures of Rashford and Garnacho. At the same time, Mount became the role model Amorim hoped to set within the team. Even while injured, Mount would attend team meetings to ensure he could integrate into the team as soon as possible. The 26-year-old is often the last player to leave the Carrington training ground as he takes long ice baths and saunas after training sessions to stay in shape. Instead of going on holiday during the international break, he spent time with his family and played golf.
Mount also took the initiative to help other players understand Amorim's tactical system, because he had played similar tactics under Tuchel when he was at Chelsea. He said: "I think I have experience and can adapt to the formation that Amorim likes. I have played this formation before, so I know these roles and his requirements for the team. Especially in the beginning, Amorim may rely on me because I understand these positions."
In addition to being familiar with this system, Mount also provided Amorim with different options. In the game against Sunderland, he replaced Cunha, a £62.5 million signing in the summer. This is not an easy decision. Although United have had some problems this season, Cunha has performed well, but he is a striker rather than a midfielder. For Mount, it's the opposite.
Manchester United's attacking power is stronger when Cunha and another new summer signing Mbemo are on the court at the same time. However, Mount knows how to press effectively, seal off space and help the two deeper midfielders - usually Fernandes and Casemiro - when United are pressed. This is an important factor when facing the three-midfield system of most opponents in the Premier League.
"I think Mount can bring us more support in the midfield, rather than a winger or a forward," Amorim said after the victory over Sunderland. "He defends well, is very smart, and attacks well. These are characteristics that we need to change when facing different opponents."
The "characteristics" Amorim believes are needed at critical moments against Sunderland will also be needed at Anfield this weekend.
"I think I can bring a lot of energy to the team, initiate pressure at certain times and be a catalyst to move forward," when asked about Amorim's evaluation, Mount said, "This is something I have always focused on, helping the teammates around me and really bringing energy."
Energy is something that Amorim requires players to show especially in the early stages of the game. During his 11 months in charge, Manchester United conceded the first goal 22 times in 34 Premier League games, which often put them in a passive position at the beginning of the game. Mount will play a key role against Liverpool on Sunday, just as he did against Sunderland, scoring on United's first clear opportunity after just eight minutes.
An outstanding performance at Anfield will be a reminder to Tuchel that Mount deserves to return to the England squad in the months leading up to the World Cup. The pair have spoken at length following their impressive performance against Arsenal at the start of the season and the chance of heading to North America for the World Cup next summer remains open. Tuchel is well aware of Mount's abilities as he was one of the core players in the Chelsea team that won the Champions League in 2021. That may be small consolation for Ten Hag, who has never seen Mount at his best, but now Mount is finally showing just how important he is to United.