Ruben Amorim speaks to Bruno Fernandes as he stands behind him and Rasmus Hojlund in the tunnel.
Ruben Amorim (right) could test the water with a new approach.
One of the biggest positives of Manchester United's 3-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday night was seeing Mason Mount back in the squad.
The 26-year-old was named on the bench for the first time since suffering an injury in the win over Manchester City on December 15. He was substituted after just 14 minutes at the Etihad Stadium and has since been putting the hard yards in at Carrington in the hope of finally sparking his United career into life.
Mount has played just 33 times since arriving from Chelsea in July 2023 and supporters' patience is wearing thin. However, head coach Ruben Amorim's face has lit up every time he has spoken about the England international.
"I really love Mason Mount," Amorim enthused last week. "I see him and know how he suffered. I know how he does everything right - he eats right, his physical aspect is perfect.
"He's trying too much. Maybe he is thinking too much about everything. He was European champion, he is a talent. When a player does everything like he does, he will always have the support of everybody here at the club. We will try to manage the load.
"You saw players who had a lot of problems in time but they can then stay fit and I believe a lot in Mason Mount. We need players like Mason Mount."
A key player in the Chelsea side that won the Champions League under Thomas Tuchel in 2021, Mount has history playing in a three-at-the-back formation. He often played as one of the No.10s in that system at Stamford Bridge, offering support to the lone striker.
After arriving at Old Trafford, Mount admitted that his preferred position is the No.8 berth, with United signing him to offer them an alternative to Christian Eriksen. Mount is seven years Eriksen's junior and was drafted in to provide more energy.
Mason Mount joined Manchester United for an initial fee of £55million. (Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
Mount's United career has not gone according to plan, with injuries denying him the chance to get into any sort of rhythm, but he will be hoping to change that on the other side of this international break.
Of the six appearances Mount has made under Amorim thus far, half of them have been as a starter. On each of those three occasions, he started as one of the two No.10s, making it clear where Amorim values him most.
Looking at the current landscape of the squad, Amorim has been forced to make adjustments in attacking areas recently, with Bruno Fernandes dropping into the No.8 position amid Kobbie Mainoo's absence, and Joshua Zirkzee having to operate as a No.10 amid Amad's ankle injury.
Those positional switches have seen each player raise their respective performance levels, with Fernandes scoring for fun and Zirkzee producing his best crop of displays since arriving at Old Trafford last summer.
Mainoo, who had a stint as a No.10 prior to his injury, could be back at some point in April and Amad could return in May. Both players have long-term roles to play in Amorim's plans and Amad was doing brilliantly prior to his injury.
But with those two out of the equation for now, Zirkzee has every right to expect to retain his place in the team as the left-sided No.10, with his ability to find pockets of space and link the play coming into its own in recent weeks. Alejadro Garnacho, who ended his goal drought at Leicester, is also an option.
Alejandro Garnacho has a starting berth to protect. (Image: Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images.)
Rasmus Hojlund also ended his long wait for a goal in the Midlands, scoring for the first time since December 12. Everyone is now hoping that will mark the beginning of a strong run for the Dane.
With attacking options limited, Amorim has had to persevere with Hojlund, and the hope is that will now pay off. Zirkzee is not a natural No.9 and his brief reinstatement to that position against Arsenal confirmed that.
With Fernandes thriving as a No.8, his position in the team should remain as it is, leaving Garnacho and Mount potentially squabbling for the final place in attack alongside Zirkzee and Hojlund.
Amorim's praise and admiration for Mount has shone through on several occasions, suggesting he is unlikely to overlook him now he is back in the equation. He will have to prove his fitness and show he can become dependable again, but he could offer Amorim the opportunity to unleash a previously unseen attacking trio.