Manchester United are scheduled to take on Liverpool on Sunday and right before this high-profile encounter, midfielder Mason Mount has picked up an injury.
In matchweek two, Mount was taken off at half-time and after the match, the manager revealed that the substitution was a precaution due to his history of getting injured. Everyone was certain that the midfielder had avoided a setback however, Mason Mount has just revealed that he has sustained a muscle injury.
“During the last game I picked up a minor muscle issue,” Mason Mount has written on social media, as reported by the club’s official website.
“I’ve had it checked and it looks like I’ll be out for a few games. Leading up to and during pre-season, I worked hard to get my fitness back to where it needs to be and I felt re-energised, sharp and ready.
“I wanted you to hear it directly from me how frustrated I am, as I expect you are too. I will do everything possible to be back in the best shape and help the team.”
How will Erik ten Hag replace Mason Mount on Sunday?
Last season, Mason Mount had missed 27 games for Man United due to a calf problem but the England international had started this campaign on a very positive note.
Ten Hag handed him a start in the opening two games but now that he’s picked up yet another injury, the manager will have to change his formation when Liverpool come to town.
In the first two matchweeks, ETH was using Mason Mount in the No. 10 role with Bruno Fernandes playing as the false nine. However, now that Mount is unavailable, the manager will have to bring Fernandes back into the attacking midfielder’s position.
Mount’s injury will not be a big issue for Man United because the England international hardly played last season. Having said that, Fernandes and Mount playing together allowed United to pack up the midfield, especially when they wanted to press high and against a team like Liverpool, this tactic would have come really handy.
Thankfully, Man United now have Joshua Zirkzee in the squad and the youngster has been really promising during the first two matches. With Zirkzee, Rashford, Fernandes and Amad, Manchester United can still press high up the pitch to try and squeeze Liverpool’s back line but with Mason Mount out of the picture, Ten Hag will lose an additional box-to-box midfielder.
