Amorim now ‘close’ to having player he ‘loves’ back at his disposal for crunch end-of-season fixtures

Manchester United is set to welcome Mason Mount back to team training this week after his 12-week absence, according to Laurie Whitwell.

The £50 million acquisition has faced significant injury challenges since his transfer from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford in 2023, resulting in him making only 32 appearances across all competitions, with just nine of those in the Premier League.

Mount’s last appearance was in the derby victory against Manchester City on December 15, where he was substituted after just 14 minutes due to a hamstring issue. This latest injury was part of a series of ongoing fitness problems, prompting the club to manage his recovery with caution to avoid any premature return that could lead to further setbacks.

It remains to be seen whether this cautious approach will prove effective. Ultimately, the decision regarding how much to involve the 26-year-old upon his return rests with Ruben Amorim, although it is likely that Mount will not be ready to participate in Thursday’s match against Real Sociedad.

When Mount could make his long-awaited return to the fold

Conversely, United might choose to postpone his reintegration into the team until following the international break. The team is scheduled to travel to Leicester City for a match this Sunday evening, with a kick-off at 7pm. Their next game will not occur until April 1, when they will compete against Nottingham Forest, who are in pursuit of a Champions League spot, at the City Ground.

Although Mount has participated in only six matches under Amorim, he received significant commendation from the head coach last November.

“Mason Mount… I have to tell you I love that kid,”said Amorim. “You can look in his eyes that he wants this so bad. And this is the most important thing for me.

“I know he was suffering from injuries, he was not on the pitch, but now he’s trying to stay fit, and we hope he can continue to be fit, to show all the talent that he’s shown, for example, in Chelsea.”

“He played in this system [before], so it’s perfect for him,” the head coach continued. “I have two positions for Mason Mount, so he should be very happy!”