Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount’s upturn in form isn’t about controlling midfield - it’s about running the attack. He’s finally playing as a true No.10, exactly where his best qualities live, and Bournemouth at Old Trafford will show whether this resurgence is something United can rely on or simply a bright moment in a stop-start season.
It’s been a long road to get here. The price tag didn’t help him when he arrived. Neither did being given the iconic No.7 shirt - a number that carries scrutiny even in the best of times. Add the pressure of playing for the biggest club in the world, and Mount walked into a storm before he even touched the ball. Injuries only made the journey harder, breaking up any momentum he tried to build.
It was only a year ago that the Daily Mail reported that the club was open to cashing in on Mount if the price is right.
But for the first time since joining United, the 26-year-old looks like a player with clarity. A role. A purpose. And crucially - a platform that suits him.
Mount is finally being used as a No.10 - and Amorim’s system unlocks him
Mason Mount Man Utd
Ruben Amorim’s system isn’t easy for everyone. Several United players have had to adjust or wait their turn because the structure demands very specific profiles in key zones. Mount, though, looks like someone built for it.
His movement between the lines, his willingness to press, his intelligence in tight spaces - all of it suits a system that values rhythm, timing, and cohesion. Playing higher up the pitch simplifies his game while maximising what he does best. He’s not being forced into deeper positions or into roles that blur his identity. He’s being asked to receive, combine, arrive, and create.
His recent performances - including the goal against Wolves - finally showcased the version of Mount United believed they were signing. There was sharpness. Confidence. A sense of belonging. He looked like a player who understood the job - and trusted himself to do it.
Mount’s importance is about to grow even more
Mason Mount
United will soon lose three important players to AFCON - Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, and attacking full-back Noussair Mazraoui - and their departures will shift the balance of the team. Mbeumo and Amad take away pace and creativity in wide areas, while Mazraoui’s overlapping and progression are central to United’s build-up.
That only increases the responsibility on Mount to act as the side’s creative organiser. Over the next month, United will lean heavily on him to provide the control, link-up play, and final-ball decisions the attack will otherwise lack.
His form isn’t just encouraging - it’s essential.
Now is the time for Mount to step forward and stay there
Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount celebrating after Manchester United score against Crystal Palace in the Premier League
There’s always pressure at Manchester United, and Mount, described as 'phenomenal', has shouldered more than most since arriving. But in recent weeks he has embraced it and finally looks capable of delivering consistently.
Bournemouth will test whether this rise is a genuine turning point or just a brief spark. But the signs are promising. For the first time in a long time, Mount looks like himself.
And if he continues growing in this No.10 role, United may finally have the player they thought they were getting.