Mounting a challenge to be main man

MASON Mount’s exquisite finish in Manchester United's vital 2-0 win over Sunderland underlined his enduring value when fit.

- By DAVID MCDONNELL

Mason Mount scores against Sunderland

(PHIL OLDHAM SHUTTERSTOCK)

Mount, a £55million signing from Chelsea in 2023, has spent much of his time at United as a hostage to injury, restricted to just 17 Premier League starts.

Indeed, it says everything about how long Mount has spent on the sidelines at United that his goal against Sunderland was his first in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

But Mount's goal and all-round display last Saturday - which earned him a standing ovation when he was subbed in the second half - showed what United have been missing in his enforced absence.

Signed by Erik ten Hag, who first saw Mount when he was in charge of Ajax and the midfielder was on loan at Vitesse Arnhem, current United boss Ruben Amorim is also a huge admirer of the 26-year-old.

Speaking after the Sunderland win, Amorim was asked about Mount and said: "I think Mason can give us more as a midfielder than as a winger or a striker. He can defend really well, he's really smart and he can attack really well.