“We have already seen glimpses” - Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag highlights what 25-year-old star needs to reigning form after difficult spell 

Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount has faced a turbulent time with injuries since joining the club last season. The £55 million signing from Chelsea has struggled to find regular game time but United manager Erik ten Hag has expressed his confidence in Mount’s abilities.

Mount missed over 30 games in his debut campaign with Manchester United. He was sidelined at the start of the campaign for a month before a calf injury in November 2023 kept him out for more than four months.

As a result, he was omitted from Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Euros in Germany. This allowed him time to recover and participate fully in Manchester United’s pre-season.

Unfortunately, the 25-year-old suffered another setback this term as he was ruled out for over a month due to a hamstring injury in Manchester United’s second game against Brighton & Hove Albion. He has now returned to training and will be eager to make an impact again, which is welcome news for United fans given the team’s midfield depth.

While Mount didn’t score or assist in his first two games, his ability to cover significant ground likely impressed Ten Hag. Ahead of his side's clash against Crystal Palace, the Dutch manager expressed confidence in the midfielder, stating that all he needs is a consistent run in the team to showcase his true potential.

“I am totally convinced of what Mount can bring to the team. I am sure once he is in a longer run he will really improve. We have already seen glimpses in the start of the season... what he needs is a longer period where he can train fully with the team,” Ten Hag said (via Fabrizio Romano).

Alongside Mount, Ten Hag also confirmed that forward Rasmus Hojlund is fit and ready to return to the matchday squad. This is a major boost for Manchester United, as they are nearing a fully fit squad ahead of a busy and demanding schedule, both domestically and in Europe.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag discusses Marcus Rashford’s form

Marcus Rashford bore the brunt of criticism after Manchester United’s struggles both last season and at the start of the current campaign. It hasn’t gone as planned for the winger, who scored just eight goals last season and failed to find the net in United’s first three games of the new season.

However, the international break seemed to come at the perfect time for the forward, as he scored a brilliant goal in United’s 3-0 win over Southampton and followed it up with a brace in the EFL Cup against Barnsley. His lost confidence appears to be returning, and Ten Hag believes this resurgence will only further strengthen the team.

“It’s very good, of course, that your strikers, they are starting to score when the season is very young. Strikers, they need that belief and we have now a couple of players who are, in the meanwhile, on the scoring list, and it is very good as a team, because that will strengthen their belief, and they will come up for more, and they will score more goals now," he said (via Forbes).

Manchester United will take on Crystal Palace on Saturday, September 21. This will be followed by a Europa League clash against FC Twente in midweek, before they host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Sunday, September 29.