Mason Mount is not expected to return until “early October” after the Manchester United midfielder sustained a muscle injury in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of August.
Mount was withdrawn at half-time at the Amex Stadium with Erik ten Hag revealing it was a forced substitution in a post-match interview. The 25-year-old would be later diagnosed with a hamstring injury.
It represented another in the long list of setbacks Mount has faced since arriving at Old Trafford last summer in a £55 million deal from Premier League rival Chelsea.
The Cobham graduated has suffered repeated injuries in a Red Devils shirt, with a calf problem the most impactful, ruling him out for nearly four months over the winter period. It amounted to an extremely disappointing debut season for Mount at his new club but there was shared hope, between the player and the coaching staff, that this year would mark a turn in fortunes.
There was even a sense amongst United executives that the 25-year-old could be viewed as a “new signing” this summer, alongside new recruits Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirzkee, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte.
Mount, conscious of the disappointment surrounding his blockbuster transfer, even took special measures before pre-season to ensure he was as ready for this year’s campaign as possible.
As revealed by the Manchester Evening News, the United midfielder spent ten days in Portugal with a personal trainer before the beginning of pre-season to get himself into “peak physical condition”. A source close to Mount contends he felt “really sharp” going into the club’s tour of the US, with the 25-year-old featuring in every single friendly over the summer.
Mount’s physical preparedness was clearly recognised by his manager with Ten Hag starting him in the season opener versus Manchester City in the Community Shield final, and maintaining this choice against Fulham and Brighton in the Premier League.
United looked much improved in terms of pressing and out-of-possession structure in these matches, with a noticeable dip in the second half against Brighton following Mount’s withdrawal. However, there was a lack of cutting edge and physical presence up front, with the false-nine pairing of Mount and Bruno Fernandes buttressing the midfield but offering little threat in behind the opposition defence.
Mount expressed how “frustrated” he was with this latest issue after his efforts over the summer to rectify the persistent nature of his injuries.
“During the last game I picked up a minor muscle injury. I’ve had it checked and it looks like I’ll be out for a few games. Leading up to and during pre-season, I worked hard to get my fitness back to where it needs to be and I felt re-energised, sharp and ready.
“I wanted you to hear it directly from me how frustrated I am, as I expect you are too. I will do everything possible to be back in the best shape and help the team.”
There was something of a fire sale at Old Trafford this summer as the club sought to generate as much income as possible to be able to abide by the Premier League’s profits and sustainability rules (PSR). A host of players departed as United executives culled a bloated senior squad.
There was never any possibility Mount would be included in this list however, with “backing from key figures inside the club” that the midfielder would be an important part of the first-team this year. And this had certainly proven true in the opening portion of the new season, but for the cruel hand of fate to intervene with another setback.
Mount’s expected return will come at the beginning of next month. It’s likely to be an overly cautious approach by club officials to ensure another setback is prevented, in a similar manner to Rasmus Hojlund who is also recovering from a hamstring injury.
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