Erik ten Hag’s worries have increased with the news of Mason Mount becoming unavailable for Manchester United until after the September international break due to injury.
The midfielder, who was signed from Chelsea for £55 million, has not had the best start to his Manchester United career. The backlash that followed him from his latter days at Chelsea, which is allegedly one of the reasons he quit the club, has followed him to Old Trafford.
The England international has Erik ten Hag’s confidence but has been unable to repay it while playing alongside Casemiro in Manchester United’s midfield.
The 24-year-old Cobham academy graduate is now set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury against Tottenham Hotspur. Mount was not one of the brightest sparks on the pitch for United in their loss to the North London club. Now, he will have to wait for longer to prove that he is not a wild shot in the dark by Erik ten Hag.
Mount was withdrawn late in the Spurs game but there was no indication that it was an injury substitution. There is no description available for the kind of injury the midfielder suffered, but he will now miss the Red Devils’ next Premier League clash.
A statement from the club on the issue reads: “Mason Mount is set to miss Saturday’s game against Nottingham Forest due to an injury picked up in last weekend’s encounter with Tottenham Hotspur.
“The small complaint is expected to keep Mount out until the international break next month.
“The England midfielder has started both of our Premier League games so far this season after making his competitive debut for the club in last week’s 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford.”
In happier news for Man United fans, the club is closing in on the signing of Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
The Greek international has been with Benfica since 2018 and is a veteran of 224 appearances for the club. He is set to come in as André Onana’s backup as the club are close to parting ways with Dean Henderson.
The Cameroonian has hit the ground running in the Premier League for Man United but ten Hag is looking for competition in between the sticks.
He is big on rotation but he was largely unable to effect this last season because he did not trust the quality of his backup goalkeepers last season. With Vlachodimos, he has a goalkeeper who can step in to provide rest for Onana and also keep him on his toes.
