Ahead of this season, Manchester United’s lack of European football was viewed as a blessing for manager Ruben Amorim.
It was supposed to give the Portuguese coach more time to work closely with his players, without the added strain of midweek fixtures or the intensity of a congested schedule.
While that may be true in theory, United’s underwhelming start to the campaign suggests familiar problems still linger at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils currently sit 10th in the Premier League, with 10 points from their opening seven matches.
Though the lack of European football provides more rest and recovery time, ideally leaving players fresher for league matches, it also presents new challenges, as midfielder Mason Mount has recently discovered.
What did Mount say?
Mount, who opened the scoring in United’s 2–0 win over Sunderland on Saturday (October 4), reflected on the double-edged nature of having only one game per week, especially after tough defeats like the one against Brentford the previous weekend.
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“Sometimes it is difficult when you only have one game a week," Mount admitted. “It means there’s a lot of time to think.
“After a game like Brentford, we’re hurt, as a team and as a staff because we know we can do better.
“It really hurts as a club as well. It feels like a long time going into the next game.”
Mount is not currently part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, meaning he has even more time to reflect during the upcoming international break.
United will not be in action until their upcoming trip to Liverpool on October 19, where they will once again attempt to win consecutive Premier League matches for the first time under Amorim.
First #PL goal at Old Trafford ✅ pic.twitter.com/Ui100BOxOR
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 4, 2025
“Coming off obviously a difficult result [against Brentford], I think it was so important for us to start sharp,” Mount added.
“It was something we spoke about in the dressing room and Bruno [Fernandes] spoke about in the huddle before kick-off.
“I felt the energy at the beginning and then to get that goal really settled us.”
Manchester United news and related links
- Ruben Amorim confirms Man Utd forward excused from club duty for personal reasons
- Ruben Amorim breaks silence on Man Utd’s decision to keep Kobbie Mainoo
- New Man Utd striker admits Premier League is tougher test after slow start