Mason Mount has a new ally at Manchester United who witnessed his pro breakthrough 15 years ago
Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount faces an intriguing challenge over the second half of the season.
After two wretched injury-hit years at Manchester United, Mason Mount has enjoyed far greater fortune in 2025/26.
Mount has started 10 Premier League games so far this season, compared with 13 across the two full previous years combined.
With 820 league minutes so far this campaign, and three goals, it was a big personal blow to Mount to see Ruben Amorim sacked.
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Amorim was a big believer in Mount, and the head coach’s sacking has placed the midfielder into a moment of brief uncertainty.
In the recent FA Cup fixture, Mount was recently played as a winger, substituted after an ineffective performance after 62 minutes.
The appointment of Michael Carrick offers another fresh start, and one appointment to his coaching staff could be his salvation.
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Steve Holland has long history with Mason Mount
Manchester United appointed Steve Holland to the coaching staff, adding the experienced former England assistant.
Prior to his work under Gareth Southgate, Holland worked extensively at Chelsea and even took the reins as caretaker manager.
Holland witnessed Mason Mount’s rise through the ranks at Chelsea, noting how he developed his technical skills at a young age, setting himself up for a successful career.
Speaking in 2021, Holland told The Athletic: “At 11, 12, Mason was the smallest player in the group,” Holland says. “That gives you a disadvantage, but it can also be an advantage.
“If you’re the biggest, most powerful player at that age, sometimes you don’t have to think as much. You can get success from your power. But if you’re the smallest and the weakest, then to get any success your brain has to be whirring every second, you’ve got to be a step ahead or else you’ll get flattened. Mason is an example of that.
“It’s much harder at 18, 19 to develop skills and technique because your habits are formed by then.”
Mason Mount went on to establish himself in the first team at Chelsea and even win the Champions League, before taking on a new challenge with Manchester United in 2023.
Holland’s arrival onto the United coaching staff comes at a key time for Mason Mount, just when he needs it.
Mount, 27, has a new ally who knows exactly what he is capable of and how to get the best out of him in whichever formation United decide to line up with.
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Holland has worked with Mount more recently
Steve Holland has of course worked with Mason Mount more recently than his academy days at Chelsea, having worked with England.
Mount has been out of the Three Lions picture for most of his United career due to injuries, but he still has 36 caps and five goals for his country.
These appearances all came with Holland on the coaching staff, and the pair will be pleased to see each other once again.
With only 17 games remaining in Manchester United’s season, there is limited time to make an impact.
Having these shortcuts of in-built knowledge and connections between coach and player can only help the swift re-adjustment.
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