--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-06-17T16:33:50.296Z last_updated: 2026-06-17T11:24:11+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/manchester-united/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWFuY2hlc3RlcmV2ZW5pbmduZXdzLmNvLnVrL3Nwb3J0L2Zvb3RiYWxsL3RyYW5zZmVyLW5ld3MvbWFuLXVuaXRlZC1zdGFyLWNvdWxkLWhhbmRlZC0zNDEzNTU4MA --- # Man United star could be handed career lifeline by Ruben Amorim - **Source:** - **Published:** 17 Jun - **Club:** Manchester United - **Original URL:** https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-united-star-could-handed-34135580 But as is the way of modern football, he did not succeed and Amorim moves into the next chapter of his career with a point to prove. His one year and two months at Old Trafford was not without incident. His conflict with Marcus Rashford saw the academy graduate's time at the club all but end. However, it was his tactical decisions that left the sourest taste in many United fans' mouths. In a bid to shoehorn Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes into his 3-4-2-1 system, Amorim dropped the captain into an unfamiliar deeper role. Get the best United news, updates and analysis straight to your Inbox courtesy of the Manchester Evening News! To get it, it's a simple one-two punch. This left no room for Kobbie Mainoo and nearly pushed the youngster out of the club entirely. However, when Amorim was eventually sacked in January, Michael Carrick reinstated 4-2-3-1 and Mainoo. This proved to be the right call as the midfielder starred during the Reds' push for the Champions League. Mainoo did so well in the second half of the season that he is now in Dallas ahead of England's opening World Cup clash against Croatia. This would have been unthinkable this time last year. His resurgence post-Amorim does not offer the Portuguese head coach a glowing reference. In truth, you would be hard pressed to find a current United player wanting to link up with Amorim on his new adventure. However, there could be one man willing to give it a go... Mason Mount finds himself in an unenviable position at United this summer. It is hard to place where he fits into the team when everyone is fit and firing. The return of 4-2-3-1 means Fernandes is the first choice in Mount's favoured position. Arguably, Cunha would be ahead of the former Chelsea man should Fernandes be unavailable too. On the right wing, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad are battling it out while on the left, it is currently between Cunha and Patrick Dorgu. Theoretically, Mount could provide support for Benjamin Sesko but this is not seen as his strongest position. Likewise, he could play deeper but Mainoo has locked in that role and Mount would struggle to fill the void left by Casemiro. Injuries have not helped Mount either and while Carrick has used him sparingly, he is not held in the same esteem as under Amorim. In November and December, Mount enjoyed a spell in the team as Mbeumo left for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). After scoring against Wolves in December, Mount received glowing praise from Amorim: "He can defend, he can attack, the quality when he touches the ball is really good, so it's not a surprise for me," he said. "He's a different type of leader. It's not like Licha [Lisandro Martinez], for example. It's a guy that leads by the example. "It doesn't matter the situation, Mason Mount is always the same thing - training, talking, dealing with people around Carrington. That is not easy, so he's a very, very good player." There is no suggestion of Mount moving to Milan but he needs regular games at 27 and he is unlikely to find them at Old Trafford next season. Of course, a move to one of Serie A's top clubs would be tempting for any player not getting a look in at their current club. And were Amorim to show interest in Mount, he would feel confident of playing, if he can remain fit. It is still a long way off from being anywhere near to completion but were it to play out, it could offer Mount a lifeline.