Mason Mount has done something in pre-season it took him seven months to do at Manchester United

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Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount is looking for a much improved second season at Old Trafford.

When working out Manchester United’s best starting eleven, there is no obvious spot for 2023 signing Mason Mount.

But during pre-season, amid the absence of several established first team options, Mount has had the opportunity to begin rebuilding his Manchester United career.

A tough first season at the club has left Mount back at square one – but the pre-season signs are encouraging.

• READ MORE: Who is Mason Mount? Age, Height, Number, Salary, Net Worth

Mason Mount racking up first team minutes

The first challenge for Manchester United with regard to Mason Mount was simply to get him playing football again.

Injury issues haunted Mount’s first season at United, and also the last few months of his final season at Chelsea.

United have been trying to manage Mount’s minutes carefully during pre-season. For instance, his 62 minutes against Liverpool and 28 against Real Betis combined for 90 minutes exactly.

In total during five matches in pre-season, Mount has played a total of 225 first team minutes.

This is more than he managed in the entire of 2023 in competitive games, where he played 129 minutes in eight appearances.

To find the last time Mount played 225 minutes, you have to cover the seven-month time period between November 1 and May 6, where cumulatively he played 240 minutes.

Getting some consistent game-time in now is a crucial first part of Mount’s re-integration to the squad, and he can build from here.

In his five games played, Mount has created eight goalscoring chances, one every 28 minutes.

Mount vs Liverpool

Manchester United dominated large stretches of the first hour against Liverpool in the final USA tour friendly, despite falling to defeat.

United needed to be more clinical with chances and Mount could have scored twice. Improving his sharpness is something to work on, which will come with added game time.

Mount also created two goalscoring chances, while winning six of seven duels he competed for in the midfield.

He scored well in our player ratings against Liverpool, and he is in with a chance of starting the Community Shield, even if the first Premier League game may be less likely.