Ruben Amorim has different opinion of Man Utd star labelled 'coward' by former team-mate
This midfielder was labelled a coward by one of his former team-mates, but new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim thinks quite the opposite
by Ben Crawford · The MirrorManchester United boss Ruben Amorim is smitten by Mason Mount – who was dubbed a ‘coward’ by ex-Chelsea team-mate Enzo Fernandez.
Having cost the Red Devils £60million, Mount arrived from Stamford Bridge last year promising to be an integral part of Erik ten Hag's midfield, but gravely disappointed.
A string of injuries has kept him sidelined for some time, and just as it looked as though he was coming good in August, a hamstring issue struck. However, with Ten Hag departed and Amorim installed, the Englishman's fortunes could change.
The 39-year-old head coach is supposedly enamoured by midfielder Mount, and his comments suggest he'll play a part in Amorim's United – though such high praise contrasts how Mount's former peer, Fernandez, felt after United clashed with Chelsea last term.
“I have to tell you I love that kid,” Amorim stated this week when asked about Mount. “You can look in his eyes that he wants this so bad. And this is the most important thing for me.
“I know he was suffering from injuries, he was not on the pitch, but now he's trying to stay fit, and we hope he can continue to be fit, to show all the talent that he's shown, for example, in Chelsea.”
Where Amorim sees a driven player who wants to emulate his Chelsea form, Argentinian midfielder Fernandez saw a ‘coward’ when his Blues met Mount’s Red Devils last season.
Mount was met by a frosty reception at Stamford Bridge in April. He was brought on as a substitute in the 86th minute. However, it didn’t take him long to make his presence known, as a clash with Fernandez saw the two have to be separated.
Despite entering the field with his side winning 3-2, two late Cole Palmer daggers reversed the scoreline. As the full-time whistle loomed after 113 minutes, Fernandez could be seen screaming at his now-adversary Mount, exclaiming, per South American reports: "This is Chelsea, coward, coward, coward."
Yet, with a new manager at United’s helm, things could be looking up in this new system for Mount, who undoubtedly has the support of newcomer Amorim.
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“He played in this system [before], so it's perfect for him,' Amorim further admitted, referencing the 25-year-old’s successful time under current England boss Thomas Tuchel. “I have two positions for Mason Mount, so he should be very happy!”
With Amorim’s first game at Portman Road on the horizon, Mount will be hoping he is in contention to get some minutes, if not a place in the 39-year-old’s starting midfield.
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