Mason Mount felt the character shown by Manchester United was a key factor in helping the Reds to victory over Sunderland at Old Trafford.
Mount’s eighth-minute finish provided the perfect start for United, curling a low shot home in front of the Stretford End, after brilliantly bringing down Bryan Mbeumo’s right-wing cross.
Benjamin Sesko added a second on the half-hour mark and that gave the Reds enough of a platform to go on and seal all three points with a professional display.
United’s No.7 acknowledged how the blistering start had helped the team to victory, when speaking with MUTV’s Liam Bradford after the game.
He said: “I know it had been difficult recently, but a really important win today, especially at home – I feel like we’ve been very solid.
“When we start sharply at home, there’s definitely a good chance that we can win the game. Getting that first goal and then getting another goal in the first half really helped us going forward.
“I think it’s so important to get the clean sheet as well, so all-round a good day today.
“There was a lot of pressure on today so for us to step up mentally, to really show character, was so important.
“We look forward now, we keep moving forward and stay together as a team.”
Mount’s beautiful finish to kickstart the Reds’ positive afternoon was his first for the club on home soil in the Premier League – and he wants to add plenty more to his name.
“It was a very good feeling getting on the scoresheet, first goal at home in the Premier League - it’s been a long time coming. Hopefully a few more to come now.
“Whenever I play, I want to get on the scoresheet, I want to help the lads around me and bring that energy on to the pitch.”
Talking through the finish, he added: “It does feel a bit like slow motion. I think Bryan crossed it.
“As it’s coming across, the ball just looks like it’s in slow-motion, as you take the touch, all I remember is seeing the defender coming towards me and I just had to try and use him. Lucky enough, it went in. It was a really good feeling.”
Mount believes that the victory, going into the international break, will provide the team with an important boost – with Liverpool, at Anfield, next up in a fortnight’s time.
“It’s big for the morale, yeah, for sure,”
he added. “We’re going to have a long break now into the next one so it’s about continuing improving in training.
“I know we have a few days off now but when we come back in to Carrington, we’ll be working hard to get ready for that next game. It’s so important, every game is so important, and we want to get as many three points as we can.”