Forgotten man Mason Mount’s timely Man Utd return ahead of summer cull could make him perfect answer for two managers

MASON Mount may have become something of a forgotten man in the minds of many Manchester United fans.

But the returning midfielder is firmly at the forefront of the thinking of the two managers he needs to impress.

Mount returned to pitch for the first time in THREE months in the dying embers of United's 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Tuesday night.

The 26-year-old replaced Joshua Zirkzee in the 78th minute – and was inches away from finding an equaliser almost instantly.

He was involved in United's flurry of chances in the final ten minutes, including Harry Maguire‘s effort that was cleared off the line by Murillo in the last kick of the game.

And Mount's return couldn't have come at a better time, or under a better manager, who is still juggling and shifting his 4-3-3 system.

With United set to make sweeping squad changes in the summer, the once-loved England star has a great chance to stake his claim to a place as one of Amorim's No 10s.

In fact, the former Sporting Lisbon manager adores Mount – he said so himself.

Amorim revealed: “I really love Mason because I have seen how much he suffers, but also how he does everything right...how he eats, how he lives.

“When a player does that, they will always have the support of everyone at the club – and you must remember, he was a European champion and very talented.”

And if Mount can prove his injury woes are finally behind him, you will not see anyone outside his immediate family smile wider than Thomas Tuchel.

As Tuchel gathered his first England squad at St George’s Park last month, ahead of the World Cup qualifying wins over Albania and Latvia, the absence of Mount was hardly a shock.

Indeed, his last appearance in an England shirt came more than two and a half years ago.

While everybody recalls Harry Kane blazing his second penalty against France over Hugo Lloris’ bar in the final moments of the World Cup quarter-final defeat in Doha, only a few will remember how it was a VAR review for Theo Hernandez’s barge on Mount that led to the spot-kick being awarded.

Mount had made himself an England regular, starting the group games against Iran and USA and with 36 caps and five goals to his name before his 24th birthday.

He also started the Euro 2020 final against Italy, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat at Wembley.

Since then, his career has stalled, a pubic bone issue curtailing the final half-season in SW6 before his £55m move to United, where he has made just NINE Prem starts in 20 months.

Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford in November could have been a springboard and Mount played the final four minutes of the 1-1 draw at Ipswich in the Portuguese manager’s first game.

But Mount lasted just 14 minutes of the 2-1 Manchester derby win at City before Christmas, his last taste of action.

United have played 98 games since Mount signed but he has missed more than half of them, leading to a feeling from many that, if there has to be a cull of the squad to fund a rebuild this summer, he will be among those considered dispensable.

Not so. Indeed, Amorim was thrilled to have Mount – unused – back on the bench at Leicester before the international break.

The United boss said: “The fact is we need players like him. Maybe he can’t play too much, too soon – but even five minutes of Mason Mount is perfect.”;

Such words can only help Mount on a personal as well as a footballing level. And it will be a similar situation with the new England boss.

Tuchel’s praise of Mount during their Champions League-winning time together at Chelsea signalled a bond of trust.

The German said: “Mason has the full package mentally, in terms of talent and physically. And the most important part is his character.

“He has both feet on the ground and he’s a nice guy. He came to training every day to learn something new and have a new experience.

“Mason is a guy who can recover very fast. He is a very physical player, who has self-confidence but in a positive way.

“It was a pleasure to have him, to be at his side and guide and support him.

“The most important part was that he was not affected by all the praise. He feels an obligation to make the most of himself and wants it absolutely badly. It’s a top mix.”;

That relationship was fostered from an unpromising beginning – when the first interaction between the pair was a ruck over team selection.

Even five minutes of Mason Mount is perfect.

Ruben Amorim

When Tuchel arrived at Chelsea he wanted the reassurance of more experience in his team.

That meant players like veteran Cesar Azpilicueta who had not played much under previous manager Frank Lampard, and midfielder Jorginho.

Mount was having none of it and pointedly told his manager so.

Adding that in previous weeks he had been Man of the Match on a couple of occasions and that Tammy Abraham had recently scored a hat trick.

It could have backfired explosively but instead Tuchel embraced the fire in Mount’s belly and admired his passion – a trait he shares.

Mount didn’t step back on his principles and became the first name on Tuchel's Chelsea team-sheet.

With some other bosses it might not have gone down well and could have meant curtains for him at a young age at Stamford Bridge.

Instead, Tuchel harnessed Mount’s energy and enthusiasm and the pair went on to forge a now concrete-like relationship.

The Cobham academy graduate would play in various positions for Tuchel at his manager’s command. As a wide player, as a number ten, holding midfielder.

Mason has the full package mentally, in terms of talent and physically. And the most important part is his character.

Thomas Tuchel

He was named Chelsea Player of the Year for consecutive years between 2021 and 2022.

Mount, too, was grateful for Tuchel’s input, recalling: “He was so clear on what he wanted and how he would like us to play, very clear on the roles and responsibilities, that it made it very easy for us to transition.

“From day one, as players we realised how he gives his game plan. It made it easy for us to go onto the pitch and do it.

“Under him I played a little bit higher than I was used to – as a kind of forward 10, or sometimes a winger or a false 9.

“I had to adapt a bit but that gave me more opportunity to get into the box and have the opportunities to score and create.”;

A goalscorer who is versatile and adaptable, able to change positions at the drop of a hat, and who wants to repay his managers for their faith.

For club, and country, a born-again Mount could be the perfect answer.

The next few months will show whether he is able to thrust himself back into the limelight.

Man Utd player ratings vs Nottingham Forest

MANCHESTER UNITED'S woes continue after another disappointing loss to Nottingham Forest.

Forest picked up a 1-0 victory at the City Ground thanks to ex-United ace Anthony Elanga's winner after just five minutes.

United remain 13th in the Premier League table and look set for their worst ever Premier League finish.

That is at least what their performance at Forest showed, as Ruben Amorim's men don't show signs of really understanding the Portuguese tactician's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.

But who stood out for a poor United's side? And who was the biggest disappointment?

Check out Kostas Lianos' players ratings below and find out...

Andre Onana – 5

Can't blame him for Nottingham Forest's winner as Anthony Elanga's shot was too good. Made a stunning save to deny Ryan Yates' header without knowing the Forest ace was offside.

Leny Yoro – 5

Should have been more aware before Elanga's goal that came straight after a Man Utd corner-kick in which he had moved forward.

One could argue Yoro made up for it when he stopped a fine run by Elanga in the second half with an amazing and well-timed challenge to save United from a second.

Matthijs de Ligt – 4

The centre-back was also nowhere to be seen before Elanga's goal. No other major errors but should have done better on the rebound after Diogo Dalot's header hit the crossbar.

Noussair Mazraoui – 4

Completely hopeless during Elanga's run that led to the goal and struggled in his defensive duties, especially in the first half. Not sure if the full-back fits in a defensive trio as part of Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 formation...

Diogo Dalot – 6

A strong performance down the right wing with some fine runs and good crosses. Registered United's best chance in the first half when his header rattled Forest's crossbar.

Casemiro – 4

At fault for Elanga's goal as there was absolutely no midfield presence during Forest's counter.

Loads of inaccurate passes and got booked for a reckless challenge on Yates before complaining in a very unjust way. Registered three shots but didn't cause concern for Matz Sels.

Manuel Ugarte – 4

Cut a rather anonymous figure, among the guilty parties for Elanga's goal as Man Utd's midfield was caught sleeping. Rightly substituted at half-time.

Patrick Dorgu – 5

A fine display during the first half as he cut a strong presence down the left flank, even though he was completely outrun by Elanga before the goal.

But the versatile full-back was the complete opposite in the second half with a series of errors against a stunning Neco Williams.

Bruno Fernandes – 6

Registered the game's first shot on target with a powerful effort that required a lunge from Sels, and that was basically United's best shot throughout the entire match.

Fernandes produced some fine long balls and upgraded Man Utd's midfield after Ugarte and Casemiro's exits.

Alejandro Garnacho – 2

Very disappointing performance from the winger. Completely hopeless before Elanga's goal with a desperate tackle and was lucky to avoid a booking for a ridiculous challenge on Yates while the Argentina international was on the attack.

A game riddled with heavy touches, failed dribbles, wrong passes, blocked shots and a silly yellow card as he kicked the ball away in frustration. Had a good shot on 69 minutes as a saving grace.

Joshua Zirkzee – 3

Was supposed to be a striker but was often seen playing too deep and didn't register a chance in front of Forest's goal. Didn't inspire any danger even after Rasmus Hojlund came on to help him up front.

SUBS

Rasmus Hojlund – 5

Was much better than a woeful Zirkzee up front for Man Utd. But didn't cause any significant danger and never looked like a goalscoring threat. Harry Maguire looked far more lethal as a false nine after he entered the pitch with a lot more presence inside the box.

Christian Eriksen – 4

Didn't really elevate United's midfield after Ugarte and Casemiro's exit. The sort of performance that makes one wonder about his Old Trafford future...

Harry Maguire – 5

Only played nine minutes as a false nine and was by far Man Utd's best forward. Brought on as a desperation move that almost paid off with the best chance of the match as his last-gasp effort was cleared by Murillo just off the line.

Mason Mount – N/A