Ruben Amorim discusses Ayden Heaven and Mason Mount after Manchester United win at Wolves

Ruben Amorim says Ayden Heaven has a great future and that he enjoys watching him play.

The Manchester United head coach was speaking at the post-match press conference following his side’s 4-1 victory over Wolves at Molineux this evening.

First the boss was asked whether he was “particularly pleased with how the players were acting in the second half, given how the first half ended?”

“Yes, I think once again, after we score a goal, we were a little bit sloppy on the ball, and that gave a little bit hope to the opponent,” he said. “But we gave a lot of chances in the first half also. We should have finished that half in a different way. Then in the half-time, they understood that we have everything to win the game, to win three points, and think the pace, the quality that we show in the second half, understanding that the moment of Wolves is really hard as a team, as a club. So we took advantage of that.”

“I think we are in the league that is really hard to win every week, and you can sense that by watching the table. Then this is a specific case. We face a team that is really, really struggling and you can sense in every situation of the game. So the next game is going to be completely different. So we need to know that.”

“But in our club, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter the run that you have, the moments. If you played quite well the last game, what matters is the way we are going to play the next one. So let’s focus on that. We need to improve the way we play. I think we need to find a different way to play sometimes. So we are thinking about that, we are working on that. And Bournemouth [the next match] is going to be a different world.”

Amorim was then asked whether there had been a concrete decision yet on when players will leave for the Africa Cup of Nations.

“The club is talking with the national teams,” he explained. “Let’s wait for the middle of the week. I don’t know for sure, but we are doing our job and they, the national teams, are talking with us. That is a good sign. Let’s see.”

The topic moved on to Mason Mount , who was one of United’s best players in tonight’s game. Has he reached the consistency that United were looking for?

“I think also the way we play, if you compare the pass that he had with Chelsea, is the same. Then he has a great quality. He can defend, he can attack. It’s really the quality that when he touch the ball, it’s really good.”

“It’s not a surprise for me, but of course, we need to take care of him sometimes. Sometimes you need to protect them in training and in games. But when you build it, that is going to happen, the same thing with Luke Shaw. He’s going to build that and he’s going to be really important for our club.”

In regard to Mount’s leadership, Amorim said:

“He’s a different type of leader. It’s not like a Licha, 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 good player.”

A reporter then asked “When you touched on Mason there, is that why he’s not been in the team all the time, not starting all the games, but sometimes having to protect him?”

“No,” he replied. “Sometimes it’s the tactical issue when you play a striker and sometimes Cunha is going to that position. But sometimes it’s also we need to protect Mason Mount . We need to build the same thing that we did with Luke last year. We are doing with Mase, taking care of him.”

The Portuguese was then asked to say more about his comments that the team has “everything there” to be successful.

“It’s simple,” he said. “We were distracted when you look at Everton, three points that we could have. More two points against West Ham. Look at the table, look at the environment, look at everything. If you have everything there, let’s do everything. Sometimes you get the result, sometimes you lose points.”

“But I think if you look at the first half, you need to understand that we need to win the second half. It doesn’t matter the result. If you score one, you need to score two. Then with a different margin in the game, you can play the ball with more quality.”

The next question was about Ayden Heaven . “A very difficult game in West Ham with the yellow card. You took him off at a hard time. How proud are you of his performance tonight?”

Amorim replied: “I’m really proud of everyone today. They did a very good job. I think Ayden has a great future. He’s really hard to beat. He adapts really well in the center. We have Mattha [de Ligt] and Harry [Maguire] with problems. Of course, he needs more rhythm to play 90 minutes. Sometimes he plays man-v-man in that position. I think he did really well and I really enjoyed to see him with the ball. That was a very good point in his game.”

Finally, Amorim was asked if there was any update on De Ligt , who he had expected to return tonight.

“I don’t know. Sometimes you have an idea, but then you have to see day-by-day. I’m not going to say that when he’s going back. Thank you, guys. Thank you.”

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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