Manchester United fans could be forgiven for having a feeling of ‘deja vu’ early into the season and no, it’s not because Erik ten Hag’s side lost to Brighton (again!).
It’s because the freak injury situation they thought they were leaving behind to the nightmare last season seems to have followed Manchester United now as well.
After losing multiple players in the pre-season itself, like Rasmus Hojlund, Leny Yoro, and Victor Lindelof, their competitive action didn’t start much better.
Harry Maguire soldiered on vs Brighton but he was taken off in the first game vs Fulham as a precaution and Mason Mount’s injury update has now made things bleaker. Ineos could finally be forced into a decision.
Mason Mount’s injury
Manchester United’s worst fears were realised when the Mason Mount injury update dropped and it emerged that he had picked up an injury to his hamstring again.
It is the same injury he suffered in, ironically, the second game of last season, then against Tottenham and it never allowed his United career to take off.
The same injury in the second game of this season has now put the breaks on a career resuscitation, and Mount has already sent a message to United fans on how frustrated he is at this development.
Arriving from Chelsea for an initial £55 million, he was a questionable signing even at the time as he was already into the last year of his contract.
Moreover, he didn’t have a clear role in the team as Bruno Fernandes has had a stranglehold at the No. 10 position ever since he arrived at Old Trafford.
This season, he found a suitable role for him where he started alongside Fernandes and became almost a one-man press upfront but that could all change with his latest injury.
The straw that breaks the camel’s back
There’s an argument to be made that Mount should have made way in United’s strongest XI for a natural striker going forward anyway.
Moreover, with Manuel Ugarte’s arrival, the midfield area gets further clogged up and the Uruguayan’s propensity to go searching for the ball and regaining it is close to what Mount does, just further forward.
Therefore, this latest injury could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back as far as Mount’s career at United is concerned.
Ineos have shown a refreshing level of ruthlessness this summer when it comes to selling players on the fringes of the first team.
Up till now, Mount figured to be a crucial part of the squad and Ten Hag clearly values his skillset but that will all be for naught if he’s available for less than 50% of games every year.
To make matters even tougher for him, he doesn’t even play in a position where he’s indispensable when fit like, say, someone like Luke Shaw at left-back.
Mount’s skill set is easily replicable and his absence can be covered up by a simple tactical change or two. This injury has probably tipped Mount’s career at United from “questionable but let’s wait and see” to “expendable”.
If this theme continues throughout this season, then Ineos could be forced into a decision next summer. They’ve already shown they’re not afraid of taking those calls.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
