Ruben Amorim and Frank Lampard have spoken enthusiastically about Mason Mount's attitude - even as the Manchester United midfielder navigates through a difficult spell of injuries.
The England international clinched a surprise transfer from childhood club Chelsea to Old Trafford in the summer of 2023, with manager Erik ten Hag shelling out £55million for him. Having become a pivotal figure at Stamford Bridge during Lampard's tenure, which included handing Mount his senior debut for the top-tier London team, the Blues great acknowledged Mount's qualities from their time together at Derby County before reconnecting at Chelsea.
Now managing Coventry City, the 46-year-old revealed on the podcast EFL Unfiltered his recognition of a shared fervour for competition in Mount, reminiscing about his own professional determination. He said: "I have this real professional drive and if I see something and I want to do it, I'll do it.
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"If I can't do it, I want to do it. If I do it well, I want to do it better. I've always had that and I have taken it into management," Lampard said. "It becomes a bit more taxing as you get older as well. It's a bit more tiring. When you've got loads of energy in your 20s, it's like I'm going to the moon.
"Then when you're in your 40s, you have days where you go: 'I need a day off'. But the drive in me is still there, it just changes a bit I guess. I love seeing it in players, there's some players that naturally have it. I always felt that with Mason Mount, working with him as a young player, I could see the look in his eye," reports the Mirror.
Ruben Amorim embracing Mason Mount
Mason Mount has been out of action for Manchester United since December (Image: PA)
This keen eye for passion and dedication isn't limited to just one experience; it's an aspect of Mount's character that Amorim, too, has admired greatly. Unfortunately, due to recurring injuries, the midfielder hasn't had many opportunities to display it on the pitch. Since joining United, he's appeared in only 32 matches, with 12 appearances coming this season.
His most recent outing for the club was a brief 14-minute cameo versus Manchester City in December before a thigh injury forced him off. Nonetheless, Amorim holds Mount in high esteem for his attitude, declaring to club media: "Mason Mount... I have to tell you I love that kid. You can look in his eyes that he wants this so bad. And this is the most important thing for me."
Scoring just once for United, Mount is reportedly making positive strides in his recovery from injury, though Amorim has not yet announced a timeframe for his return.