When Mason Mount first arrived at Manchester United in the summer of 2023, few players carried more expectation. Wearing the iconic No.7 shirt, once donned by Best, Cantona, Beckham and Ronaldo, he spoke about ambition, trophies, and hard work. A year later, those words were drowned out by injuries, inconsistency, and frustration. The dream move had turned sour.
Mount’s first season was a case study in misfortune. An early hamstring injury, a four-month setback, and a new manager midway through the campaign left him drifting on the periphery. Even when he returned, he was a shadow of the player who thrived under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea - the all-action midfielder who pressed relentlessly, linked attacks, and scored goals in big moments.
But football has a funny way of writing new chapters when you least expect them. Over the past few months, Mount looks reborn. His strike against Wolves, his second in three games, was the type of goal built on a player full of confidence, not rust and hesitation. He’s playing with a freedom that’s been missing since his Stamford Bridge days, and it’s no coincidence that Ruben Amorim has finally unlocked him by using him in a more advanced role.
Will Mount Catch Tuchel's Attention?
United’s staff insist they never lost faith in him. Amorim values Mount’s professionalism, his adaptability, and his work rate off the ball. He’s one of the most popular players in the dressing room - a quiet leader who rarely complains. For all the setbacks, Mount has kept his head down and rebuilt from the ground up.
The question now is whether this resurgence can reignite his England career. When on form, Mount offers something different to Tuchel's preferred midfielders - the engine to press, the ability to link play, and the tactical awareness to fit seamlessly into any system. His understanding with captain Bruno Fernandes at club level has sharpened his timing and confidence in tight spaces, and that creative sharpness could translate well to the international stage.
Of course, the competition is fierce. Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are seemingly untouchable in Tuchel’s attacking setup, while other big name players like Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze are pushing hard to cement their spot for next Summers 2026 FIFAWorld Cup****. But a fit, firing Mason Mount remains one of the most intelligent and industrious attacking midfielders England have at their disposal. If he continues on this trajectory, leaving him out of next summer’s World Cup squad could be a mistake.
After two lost years, Mount finally looks like himself again. And if there’s one thing England should value heading into 2026, it’s players who know how to fight their way back from the brink of defeat.