Man Utd are a better team when Mason Mount starts, but there is a question mark about whether he can play every game.
Mason Mount celebrates against Wolves.(Image: 2025 MB Media)
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Diogo Dalot was recently asked to name the teacher's pet in Manchester United's dressing room, and he named Mason Mount. Ruben Amorim has not hidden his affection for Mount and he heaped further praise on the midfielder when he spoke at his pre-Bournemouth press conference on Friday.
United have lost just one game in the Premier League when Mount has started this season. "It's a fact," Amorim responded when asked about the team's record with him in the starting XI.
"But it's not just that. We have to look at the way the game was, but he's a very, very smart player, he's really technical. Because sometimes being a technical player is not just about having fun with the ball. It's the quality of the pass, the reception, how to receive the ball, and with these things, he's really smart. He can balance our team well, so he's a very good player."
It was the second time Amorim had praised Mount to the press in a week, having described him as "really important" for United following the victory against Wolves at Molineux.
Mount scored his third league goal of the campaign against Wolves, volleying home in the 62nd minute to make it 3-1, which was an important strike to give United a two-goal cushion.
The 26-year-old's goals against Sunderland and Crystal Palace were important for different reasons. Mount's goal against the Black Cats eased nerves at Old Trafford after the Brentford defeat, while his matchwinner at Selhurst Park ensured United did not end November without a victory.
Mount finally has momentum in Manchester, two and a half years since his arrival from Chelsea, and he appears set to return to the starting team against Bournemouth on Monday.
Mount is having a good season.(Image: 2025 MB Media)
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Benjamin Sesko could return to the squad if he recovers from food poisoning in time, but he is coming back from a knee injury, so Amorim is expected to pick a striker-less attack again.
Amorim has previously said he "loves" Mount because he can see how much he "wants it." Mount has endeared himself to every manager he's played for because he is a dream to coach each day.
He is a model professional, and the only thing that has held him back at Old Trafford has been fitness concerns. Mount has picked up the occasional muscle injury and Amorim, speaking after Wolves, admitted that he needs to be carefully handled to prevent losing him for a spell of matches.
Mount could achieve undroppable status if he continues in his rich vein of form, but the quirk is that there is a higher chance of picking up an injury if Amorim selects him to start every game.
"We need to take care of him," explained Amorim. "Sometimes you need to protect them in training, and in games, but when you build, that is going to happen the same, the same thing with Luke Shaw."
Amorim will have no choice but to bank on Mount's condition over the next few weeks, as United are braced to lose Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui to the Africa Cup of Nations. Mount is already important in the dressing room - and he will become even more important during AFCON.
United need Mount to be available throughout the busy festive schedule. And if he manages that, he could earn a recall to the England squad when the Three Lions meet up in the March international break.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is another coach who has spoken glowingly about Mount after their stint working together at Chelsea. Mount has been a "teacher's pet" for more than one manager.