Mason Mount has challenged Manchester United to push for Champions League qualification after scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 comeback victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The midfielder completed his first full 90 minutes in the Premier League since joining from Chelsea, marking a personal milestone in a match that lifted United to within four points of Manchester City.
United trailed at half-time after Jean-Philippe Mateta converted a penalty in the 36th minute. But Ruben Amorim's side turned the game around in the second half through Joshua Zirkzee's 54th-minute equalizer and Mount's winner nine minutes later.
The victory represents United's fourth win in seven matches under Amorim and moves the seventh-placed side back into contention for European football's top competition.
The Winning Goal
Mount revealed he held a quick tactical conversation with captain Bruno Fernandes before executing the decisive free-kick. «We always have a little conversation. I said to him: 'I will roll it for you,' and then he said: 'You stay there,' and then I said: 'You shoot,' because obviously the sun was difficult today and was causing a few problems for us first half with long balls and I thought it would be difficult for Deano [Henderson] to see the ball in goal,» Mount explained to journalists in the mixed zone after the match.
The midfielder continued: «And then he said: 'You stay there,' and rolled it over and you can see with my reaction to getting on the end of it...He obviously said it but really quick and that's why it helped out the situation. They didn't see it coming, they didn't see us talking, they were late to react and it is about finding that little bit of space in the wall, that little disruption and then hit the target.»
Personal Milestone and Fitness
The 90-minute appearance marked Mount's first complete Premier League match since starting for Chelsea against Palace in early 2023. When asked about playing the full game, Mount said: «It felt like a long time.»
He added: «It is obviously a massive positive for me as well. I have been working hard recently, I feel really good now so to get that 90 minutes under my belt is really positive, it is all about recovery now and going towards the next game.»
Mount addressed his fitness after two injury-hit campaigns at Old Trafford: «I have had niggles but nothing bad at all [this season]. I have felt good this season, I had a good pre-season under my belt, I have been working hard in training every week, not just me, but as a group we have been at it, it's up and down but we are in a lot better place me personally and a group.»
Amorim's Half-Time Impact
The manager's calm approach at the break proved crucial for United's turnaround. Mount said Amorim told the team to «keep going, stay calm do what we needed to do. We all knew what to do in that second half.»
Mount explained the tactical thinking: «They have just played recently so we felt they could drop off in that second half, there was chances there for us so just carry on what we are doing. Obviously difficult to go down 1-0 but we showed character to get back into the game in the second half.»
Leadership Moment
Mount also drew praise from supporters for consoling young defender Leny Yoro after the final whistle. The 20-year-old had conceded the penalty that gave Palace the lead and was substituted before the hour mark. Broadcast footage showed Mount putting an arm around Yoro, offering visible encouragement.
Top-Four Push
Looking ahead to Thursday's home match against West Ham and a busy December schedule, Mount issued a clear challenge to his teammates: «We need to kick on now, win more games and the most important thing is to win, difficult result in the last game but to come back today was massively important. So yeah it is time to kick on now and shoot for those top four positions.»
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
