Mount revival exposes yet more flaws in recruitment

Man United's confused strategy has handed Ruben Amorim a selection headache in a pivotal area

- By Richard Jolly

“I love that kid,” said Ruben Amorim, early in his reign at Manchester United. There are no prizes for guessing it wasn’t an ode to Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho or Antony. Or, indeed, to Andre Onana, Kobbie Mainoo or Rasmus Hojlund.

But Amorim may be in good company. Thomas Tuchel loved Mason Mount, as did Frank Lampard. Gareth Southgate liked him. Erik ten Hag loved him enough to spend an initial £55m on him. Amorim loves him, too.

Mount can seem the footballing equivalent of a teacher's pet. Not every fan has shared the various managers' fondness for him, especially as injuries have turned a Champions League winner and Chelsea's two-time player of the year into another indictment of United's transfer business, but there are days that provide reminders of Mount's quality.

Possibly United's two best halves of the season, certainly as an attacking force, were the opening periods against Burnley and Sunderland. Mount was integral to both, even if the caveat is that the opponents were both Championship clubs last season. He scored against Sunderland, even if the damning detail is that it was a first Premier League goal at Old Trafford for a player in his third season with United.