The match between Man United and Viktoria Plzen witnessed a boring first half. Ruben Amorim's team lacks flexibility, speed and creativity. Marcus Rashford was lazy to run and Joshua Zirkzee lost the ball 16 times in the first 45 minutes. However, the appearance of Mason Mount at the beginning of the second half changed the situation.
Coming on for Zirkzee, Mount, along with Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund, brought life and variety to Man United's play. The English midfielder took on the role of "number 10", making smart runs and actively penetrating the penalty area. The 25-year-old star had 2 dangerous shots, although they did not result in goals, this effort brought many positive signals.
One of the factors that helps Mason Mount integrate quickly into Ruben Amorim's system is his experience playing in similar tactical diagrams. Under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, he has played excellently in a 3-4-2-1 formation, contributing greatly to the 2021 Champions League championship. Amorim's system is also based on a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 platform, with many similarities that Mount can easily get used to.
The new Man United captain wants to build a team with agility and good coordination between the attackers. Mount's presence has helped ease the burden on Hojlund, who was often isolated in one-on-one matches with the opposition centre-back.
Mount's smart runs, especially cross-court runs into the box, not only create space but also open up effective coordination options with Hojlund, Amad and Bruno Fernandes. The English midfielder also holds the ball much better than Zirkzee, which is very necessary to maintain the attacking tempo.
Although his performance against Viktoria Plzen was encouraging, Mason Mount still needs to prove himself more against strong opponents. The "Red Devils" will soon face a series of big teams such as Man City, Tottenham, Newcastle and Liverpool, as well as Arsenal in the FA Cup.
Ruben Amorim also has to deal with the problem of keeping Mason Mount fit. The midfielder born in 1999 has suffered a long period of injury since joining Man United and needs to be used carefully to avoid a relapse.
With a transfer fee of £60 million, the pressure on Mount is not small. The 25-year-old star needs to prove himself not only through short moments of brilliance but also through stability and efficiency in big matches. However, Mount's desire and fighting spirit are what make Amorim put his trust in him.
Mount is not only a player with great potential, he can also be a symbol of Man United's rebirth under Ruben Amorim. If Mount can maintain his form and fully adapt to the new system, the English midfielder is not only a short-term solution but can also become an important core in the journey to rebuild the Old Trafford team.
