Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has called for his players to demonstrate their commitment through actions on the pitch, despite midfielder Mason Mount's public declaration of support. Following a much-needed 2-0 victory against Sunderland, Mount stated that the Manchester United squad is "100% behind the gaffer".
The win against Sunderland came after a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Brentford, which intensified the scrutiny on Amorim, who was managing his 50th game at Old Trafford. Goals from Mount and summer signing Benjamin Sesko secured the victory against the newly promoted Sunderland, easing some of the pressure on the manager before the international break.
When informed about Mount's comments, Amorim acknowledged the sentiment but emphasized the need for tangible displays of dedication. "I saw (that) today and I know they want to do their best – and I know they don't want to change the coach all the time," Amorim said. "But, like I said during this week, to be with the manager is 'I will kill myself to go in every transition'. We need to show with actions". He stressed that players must demonstrate their commitment not only at home but also in away games.
Amorim made five changes to the starting lineup following the loss to Brentford, including handing a debut to summer signing Senne Lammens. The 23-year-old goalkeeper, who arrived from Antwerp on deadline day, helped Manchester United keep their first clean sheet of the season, making several important saves. Amorim expressed his confidence in Lammens' debut performance, attributing it to the team's focus and limited mistakes.
Mount, who joined Manchester United from Chelsea in 2023, believes he can flourish under Amorim's leadership despite struggling with injuries and inconsistent playing time in his first two seasons at Old Trafford. Amorim has expressed faith in Mount, praising his professionalism, talent, and desire to succeed in a system that the coach believes suits the midfielder. Mount himself has spoken about the collective goal of returning Manchester United to European competitions and restoring pride to the club. He is confident that Amorim's style of play will soon "click" at Manchester United.
Amorim's focus on actions over words underscores the scale of the rebuild underway at Manchester United. The squad is evolving with signings aimed at addressing weaknesses from last season. Mount's development and return to full fitness are seen as pivotal in this turnaround effort, bringing technical skill and experience.
