Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes praised Mason Mount as a vital figure for the squad after the midfielder scored the winner in their 2-1 Premier League triumph over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

It was Mount’s first full 90-minute game since January 2023, with his last completed match coming in a Chelsea shirt—also against Palace.

With forwards Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko sidelined by injuries, Mount started at Selhurst Park and delivered the decisive goal in the 63rd minute from a set-piece, securing United’s victory.

“Mason is a great player,” Fernandes told BBC’s Match of the Day. “His quality was never in doubt with his teammates. Sometimes he struggled a bit for goals and assists and also with injuries, but when he gets his fitness, he is important.”

Mount, who joined United in July 2023, missed 50 games across competitions during his first two seasons due to injuries. A recent knock in August caused him to miss two more matches. The English midfielder said he felt strong after completing the full match on Sunday.

“The win was massive, but also, for me, to play the full game. I haven’t done that in a while,” the 26-year-old told TNT. “I’ve been feeling really good recently, enjoying my football. When you have days like this in front of the fans, it makes it all worth it.”

United’s victory, only their second away win in the last 12 games, lifted them to seventh in the league table with 21 points, nine behind leaders Arsenal. They will next host West Ham on Thursday.