From setbacks to renewed belief
Mount has started United’s last three matches and is hoping to make it four in succession when Newcastle United arrive at Old Trafford on Boxing Day. For a player whose United career has so often stalled just as momentum appeared to be building, the chance to weave together a string of appearances carries significance. Looking back, Mount believes his ability to endure difficult moments was forged long before the pressures of elite football fully took hold. Speaking to Sky Sports, the England international reflected on a childhood driven by ambition and clarity.
«It’s always about, as a kid, making it into the first team,» Mount said. «I think in my younger years, I didn’t have loads of downs. I was very lucky to play in very good teams where we won a lot. Then as you get older, you understand there’s definitely going to be ups and downs. And the downs that I experienced was losing big games or losing a final. That’s definitely something that you have to learn about, you have to overcome.»
The low point of Mount’s career that lingered
Few moments encapsulated Mount’s struggles more clearly than a Manchester derby just over a year ago. Handed a starting role by new head coach Ruben Amorim against Manchester City, Mount lasted only 12 minutes before being forced off with another injury. The sight of him walking slowly towards the tunnel, flanked by United’s medical staff, captured the frustration of a player desperate to contribute but repeatedly denied by his body.
«It was very tough because, obviously, the manager had just come in,» he said. «I was getting into the team. When I felt it, I was like ‘this is not going to be a good one’. It takes a couple of days to kind of get your head around that. But then for me, it was always, ‘I’m back on it now, focus. What can I do to get back as quick as possible and in the best shape I can be?'»
That mindset is now bearing fruit. Amorim’s faith has been rewarded with a player who brings intensity, discipline and balance to United’s midfield. Even in defeat, Mount’s contribution has been noted. Gary Neville remarked during the recent 2-1 loss to Aston Villa that United look a better side when Mount is involved, a judgement rooted in more than statistics.
«There’s a lot that people don’t see, but within the group I think bringing that energy for myself and for the boys onto the pitch is super important,» he insisted. «Seeing me start a press or pressing the goalkeeper when it’s not on, but then it also sets a trigger for the rest of the lads to go. I’ve been used a bit higher up in a position that I’m used to. I can go forward, I can get into the box. Also, when we don’t have the ball, I will drop in and help the lads in midfield.»
Mount is convinced that his best football may still lie ahead, shaped by the lessons of recent seasons.
«I think I’m getting close to really getting back to that [his best]», dijo. «Creo que ahora, con toda la experiencia que tengo y las experiencias por las que he pasado, creo que [his best level] puede ser mayor que antes. «Durante los últimos años, ha sido difícil acercarme siquiera a ese nivel. Pero ahora he tenido una muy buena pretemporada y muchos partidos. Muchos minutos en las piernas. Siento que estoy cerca de estar de regreso».
¿Busca apuestas de fútbol más inteligentes? Obtenga vistas previas de expertos, predicciones basadas en datos y conocimientos ganadores con Consejos de META en Telegram. ¡Únase a nuestra creciente comunidad ahora!
Las ambiciones de Inglaterra resurgen silenciosamente
A medida que la forma del club de Mount mejora, los pensamientos inevitablemente derivan hacia el fútbol internacional. Un lugar en el equipo de Inglaterra para la Copa del Mundo alguna vez habría parecido inevitable para un jugador tan fundamental para el triunfo del Chelsea en la Liga de Campeones en 2021. Ahora, representa un objetivo más que una expectativa. El entrenador de Inglaterra, Thomas Tuchel, conoce bien a Mount, ya que confió mucho en él durante esa carrera europea, incluida la asistencia para el gol de la victoria en la final. Esa familiaridad aún podría funcionar a favor de Mount, siempre que las actuaciones a nivel de clubes lo justifiquen.
«Siempre digo que todo empieza en el club. Si juegas en el club, entonces tienes la oportunidad de entrar en el equipo», dijo, hablando de sus posibilidades en el Mundial. «En primer lugar, si lo estamos haciendo bien, si estamos ganando partidos, si estamos subiendo en la liga, entonces siempre habrá esa oportunidad allí. Obviamente, conozco a Thomas. Sé de qué se trata. Haré todo lo que pueda para estar en ese equipo».
Una prueba contra el Newcastle
La próxima oportunidad de Mount de subrayar su progreso es contra el Newcastle, un equipo que disfruta de un gran momento de forma, ya que los Magpies han perdido solo una vez en sus últimos siete partidos en todas las competiciones. Es un paso más en un viaje definido por la paciencia y la perseverancia.
