Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has explained his decision to start Mason Mount as Red Devils fans took aim at the starting line-up on social media
19:43, 21 May 2025
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim has explained why he started Mason Mount
Ruben Amorim has explained his decision to start Mason Mount in the Europa League final.
Amorim named Mount in his starting midfield alongside Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro against Tottenham, as the Red Devils aimed to end their poor season on an unlikely high.
However, fans were left furious at the line-up, with some even declaring they were "doomed" thanks to Amorim's team selection. However, the Portuguese manager said he selected Mount because he provides a "different balance" and "compacts the team".
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of kick-off, Amorim said: "I really enjoyed the last two training sessions. And when you have these kind of trainings, you feel relaxed because I trust in the guys.
"I feel Mason Mount, in this moment, gives us a different balance because he's really good attacking, but also the way he compacts the team - he is one extra midfielder and you know Tottenham put all the full-backs and midfielders inside with a lot of people overloading that space.
Mason Mount
Mason Mount was named in the starting side(Image: Getty Images)
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"So my thinking was that, to have possession and to have a right foot in that position is really important, to also have speed on the bench because we have Amad on the other side. We need legs to change the game.
"If you look at the team, Casemiro is used to playing these types of games, Bruno is always there, Harry Maguire has played in European games for his national team and knows the pressure.
"The final is a different context, a different game. The beginning of the game is really important - to feel the game - and I think we're getting better on that."
When asked about the importance of winning the Europa League, Amorim responded: "It's not going to change so much [in relation to transfers]. It can be a little help to add more if we need, but it's not going to change so much. I think the most important thing is the feeling of winning.
"It's going to help everybody. If you look at Carrington with all the changes, we had staff with us who are no longer there, we need to deliver that feeling in order to give something to everybody.
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"I'm not thinking about the money. I'm not worried about the money because we're a big brand, but it's the feeling. We need that feeling, we need to have a connection with people and without trophies, it's really hard to get that connection."