Erik ten Hag explained that Mason Mount got injured at the worst possible time and now has to find his place back in the Manchester United team.
The manager insists his expectations for Mount have no changed since signing him during the summer, despite the midfield being overlooked for midfielders he would’ve expected to start ahead of when he agreed to join.
Mount didn’t come on the cheap either, with Chelsea charging us £60 million for his signature and the England international has started only one of the last six United games.
The former Chelsea man has yet to record a goal or assist in his seven appearances for the club.
As a result, Mount has been omitted from the last two England squads by manager Gareth Southgate. The 24-year-old will hope his international career doesn’t go the same way as Jadon Sancho’s after the winger move from Borussia Dortmund to United. On another note, we hope his club career doesn’t go the same way too.
Listening to Ten Hag this afternoon, I don’t think Mount was assured of a recall to the line-up for Saturday’s league clash against Luton Town.
Scott McTominay has found a place in the team again and I don’t think Mount will be replacing Christian Eriksen anytime soon.
Furthermore, Mount has missed six games due to injury, which has not helped with the reintegration process.
Reporters asked Ten Hag is his expectations for Mount had changed. The Dutchman replied (via Manchester Evening News): “No. Hasn’t changed at all, but he started the season, then he got injured. It’s the worst moment for a new player to get injured because it stops the reintegration process and that was definitely a setback for someone like him. And now he has to find his place back.
“He had some starts, also recently, last week against Newcastle, for instance. But there are always reasons and sometimes the injury, then other players coming in doing well, you have to wait for your time to play.”
This sounds like Ten Hag is warning his players – not just Mount – of the consequences of time out of the team. He wants them to be competitive and we know from Sancho that some players don’t respond well to it. However, I think Mount is different. Hopefully he’s a better professional.
United have started the season terribly, losing nine matches and winning just eight in all competitions.
Luton visit Old Trafford tomorrow for a 3pm kick-off, after drawing with Liverpool at Kenilworth Road last week.
Let us know in the comments section if you think Mount will start against Luton.
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