Ruben Amorim, who was appointed as Manchester United’s new manager on Monday with a contract running through 2027, has already begun making significant changes at the club. Amorim’s arrival has led to the departure of interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who stepped in following Erik ten Hag’s departure, as well as other coaching staff members including Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar, and Pieter Morel. In their place, Amorim has brought in trusted colleagues from his previous role at Sporting CP.
One of the most notable shifts under Amorim’s leadership is his plan to revitalize Mason Mount’s position within the team. Since his £55 million transfer from Chelsea, Mount has struggled to establish himself at United, hindered by injuries and limited game time. Despite wearing the iconic No.7 shirt previously donned by Cristiano Ronaldo, Mount has only managed a single goal in 20 appearances last season and has featured in just six matches this season. His form has also seen him excluded from recent England squad selections.
However, Amorim sees potential in the 24-year-old midfielder. Drawing on Mount’s past success in a three-at-the-back system under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, a formation that helped the club win the Champions League in 2021, Amorim believes Mount could thrive in a similar setup at United. Under Ten Hag, Mount was expected to form a partnership with Casemiro in midfield, but this pairing has not yet yielded the desired results. Amorim is reportedly planning to build a tactical framework around Mount’s strengths, focusing on his versatility and previous experience in systems that require players to play multiple roles.
With Mount returning from injury, Amorim has an opportunity to integrate him into this new system during the international break. Amorim’s preference for a three-at-the-back formation, a system he successfully used at Sporting, could provide Mount with the flexibility to shine in various positions, tapping into his adaptability. The break also offers Amorim a chance to assess and experiment with how best to incorporate Mount into his long-term vision for the team.
Amorim’s changes reflect a broader departure from Ten Hag’s tenure, focusing on creating a more dynamic, cohesive squad where players like Mount can thrive. If successful, this shift could mark the beginning of a new chapter for both the player and the club, with Mount potentially becoming a central figure in Amorim’s plans moving forward.
