Man Utd star to return ‘sooner than expected’ in major injury boost

Mason Mount is expected to be back in the Manchester United side ‘sooner than expected’ after returning to first-team training.

The midfielder endured an injury-hit first season at Old Trafford following his transfer from Chelsea in the summer of 2023.

The 25-year-old managed just eight starting appearances in his debut campaign at the club but featured prominently during United’s pre-season tour of the US.

Mount did enough to earn a place in the first-team at the start of the new season, starting United’s first two league matches against Fulham and Brighton.

Injury struck again, however, with Mount revealing before this month’s clash with Liverpool he had suffered another muscle problem.

Neither Mount nor United put an immediate timeline on his return but the Manchester Evening News report the player has now resumed full training and is expected to be available once again before the end of the month.

Ten Hag spoke to the media on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup third round clash against Barnsley. Mount is among those who will not be involved with Luke Shaw, Rasmus Hojlund, Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof and Leny Yoro also unavailable.

Mount’s performance against Fulham on the opening day of the season was questioned by some pundits but the midfielder’s pressing from the front helped create United’s best openings in the first-half.

Mount also looked sharp against Brighton before he was forced off at half-time.

‘We know he’s a high-class player and just bringing his skills in,’ ten Hag said at the start of the season.

‘Last season, he had a very bad season, a very tough season for him because of all his injuries, so now we are very pleased he had a very good pre-season.

‘I’m sure he will now, from this point on, be contributing to the team if he stays fit. That counts for every player.’