Mason Mount scored the opening goal in Man Utd’s win over Sunderland (Image: Getty)
Mason Mount has vowed that the Manchester United squad are fully behind Ruben Amorim after their win against Sunderland. The midfielder produced a superb finish to break the deadlock against the Black Cats on Saturday afternoon. Amorim was desperate for three points at Old Trafford and made five alterations to his starting XI, including the choice to drop Matheus Cunha and hand Mount a start.
It required just eight minutes for Mount to justify his inclusion and the rapturous applause when he was withdrawn said everything about his display. This was arguably his finest showing in a United shirt. “It was obviously a big moment for us today,” said Mount. “I mean every game [is big], but today was a lot of pressure on the performance, on the win. Being at home, coming off obviously a difficult result, I think it was so important for us to start sharp.
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“That was something that we obviously spoke about in the dressing room. Bruno spoke about before the game, before kick-off in the huddle. So I felt that, I felt the energy at the beginning of the game and obviously to get the goal, I think really settled us.
“And then to go on and get another goal, going into half-time 2-0 up, you’re in a good place. I don’t think we stepped off at all in the second half, it was kept a bit cagey, but it was massive to get a clean sheet as well. So yeah, a very important win for us.”
Mount continued: “I think it was massive to really start sharp today. Big character to step up after a difficult game and we did that. Now we’ve got to push on, we obviously have a bit of a break now before the next game, but we need to take positives from this game and take them into the next one.”
Amorim has confessed he “loves” Mount. “I see myself as bringing a lot of energy into the team and setting off the press at times, being a bit of a catalyst going forward,” he reflected.
“So, yeah, that’s always something that I focus on, helping the people around me and really bringing the energy. And to get the goal was obviously massive for me, getting the first goal of the season at home in the Premier League. Important. So, yeah, I really enjoyed that.”
Mount capped off an 18-pass move – the longest passing sequence United have completed before netting a league goal in two years – with a finish reminiscent of previous legends to wear the No.7 jersey.
Mason Mount is fully supportive of Ruben Amorim (Image: Getty)
There were encouraging signs following United’s disappointment against Brentford last weekend. Amorim discussed how negative media coverage could potentially impact the changing room atmosphere before facing Sunderland, but Mount says the squad remain fully concentrated on executing the manager’s tactical instructions.
When questioned whether outside criticism infiltrates the dressing room, Mount responded: “No. For us, it’s just focusing on what the manager wants and that’s in training. And then when it comes to the games, doing exactly what he asked for. And I think, as you see today, we stuck to the job in hand.
“Everyone did their roles and responsibilities and it was a good performance. I think in the second half it got a bit cagey and there were times where we had to defend. We had to put the body on the line.”
Mount lauded the efforts of Senne Lammens and Benjamin Sesko, emphasising that the team is united and backing the manager to ‘continue moving forward’.
He stated: “The defenders were amazing. So that was really important for everyone. I mean, for Ben [Sesko], scoring his goal was so important. I’m absolutely over the moon for him.
“And obviously, Senne [Lammens] coming in as well. It was a solid performance. Any danger of them pressing, he puts it into Ben and we work off that. I think he kind of released the pressure a lot today.
“And everyone was around him. Altay [Bayindir] was around him. Tom [Heaton] was around him before the game. And that shows the togetherness we have.
Man Utd beat Sunderland thanks to goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko (Image: Getty)
“Obviously, even in this season, we’ve gone through ups and downs, but we’re together. And we’ll continue to be together with the manager, with the staff, to continue moving forward.”
Discussing his relationship with Amorim, Mount added: “I have a good relationship with the manager. I don’t think it’s any better than all the other lads. I think I have the experience of playing a similar formation to what he likes. As I have played it before in the past. So, knowing the roles and what he wants out of the team resonates with me because I’ve done it before.
“So, I think that’s something that I obviously understand. I think all the players understand it now. But I think at the beginning, especially, it was something that maybe he could lean on me because I know the positions.”
Mount acknowledged United’s squad were stung following their defeat to Brentford. “It’s difficult sometimes when you only have one game a week because there’s a lot of time to think,” he said.
“After a game like Brentford, we’re hurt. As a team, as a staff, because we know we can do better. It really hurts us, obviously, as a club as well. It feels like a long time until the next game.
“But when that game does come around, you’re prepared. You’re ready to really start sharp, as I said before. That was our goal from the beginning. Because we know if we start sharp and we’re on the front foot, especially at home, then it can definitely go our way.”