Manchester United were expected to have a tough time against high-flying Sunderland, but that did not prove to be the case at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Red Devils eased to a 2-0 win, thanks to first-half goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko. Debutant Senne Lammens also excelled in goal.
Ruben Amorim’s decision to hand Mount a start in place of Matheus Cunha proved to be a masterstroke, with the Englishman scoring the first with a sumptuous finish.
And the Slovenian was in top form against the Black Cats, with his back-to-goal play and predatory instinct in the box impressing one and all.
Backing the gaffer
A lot has been spoken about the Portuguese tactician’s flawed system, with plenty of media outlets claiming that INEOS are looking at multiple managers should they be forced to cut ties with the ex-Sporting CP boss.
Amorim even claimed that his players were getting swayed by the constant negativity in the media, but Mason Mount came out fighting in his coach’s corner.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, the ex-Chelsea midfielder revealed that the team was a 100 percent behind Amorim despite the poor start to the season.
“We’re 100% behind the gaffer. We’ve had some results that hurt us – the team, the staff and the fans – but that was important today.
Building momentum
“It was an exciting game, we enjoyed it. The first-half performance, up 2-0, really helped us. The second half we wanted to push on for more but the result was the most important thing. Happy with three points.”
The versatile midfielder claimed that the team’s focus will be on trying to build up a head of steam and try to get successive wins under their belt.
“It needs to be – we thought after Chelsea it would be the start of something and then we go to Brentford and have a disappointing result.
“It starts today and we’ll be working hard over the break. We want to get back-to-back wins, then three in a row and push on for the top four.”
On the goal
His goal was a thing of beauty, the way he controlled the ball and caressed it into the back of the net amid an onrushing group of Sunderland defenders was majestic to say the least.
Speaking to MUTV, Mason Mount said, “It was a very good feeling getting on the scoresheet, first goal at home in the Premier League – it’s been a long time coming. Hopefully a few more to come now.
“Whenever I play, I want to get on the scoresheet, I want to help the lads around me and bring that energy on to the pitch.
“As it’s coming across, the ball just looks like it’s in slow-motion, as you take the touch, all I remember is seeing the defender coming towards me and I just had to try and use him. Lucky enough, it went in. It was a really good feeling.”
He is showing why Amorim loves him so much, now for him to stay fit and keep up the same level of performance week-in and week-out.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
