Mason Mount could return for Man Utd this weekend but he has hardly had a look-in under Michael Carrick and it’s hard to see how he gets into the team this season.

When Manchester United won at Crystal Palace earlier this season, it was Mason Mount who was the match-winner. The midfielder scored the second goal to ease the pressure on Ruben Amorim and continue his own resurgence.

Mount scored again at Wolves a couple of weeks later to take his tally to three in seven games and he was enjoying his best moment since his £55million move from Chelsea in 2023.

But when Palace visit Old Trafford for the return fixture this weekend, Mount will be something of a forgotten man. Michael Carrick will provide an update on his fitness in his press conference today and the 27-year-old could return to the squad after four games out injured.

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If he is fit, the best he can hope for is a role on the bench and perhaps a late cameo. He has played just one minute for Carrick so far, as a late substitute in his first game in charge, when he actually scored only for VAR to disallow it, and the change of system since Amorim was sacked has been bad news for Mount.

With Amorim in charge, Bruno Fernandes was playing in a deeper and with two No.10s, there was room for Mount, who started 10 Premier League games before the Portuguese was dismissed. Now there is only one attacking midfielder in Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 system and that position belongs to Fernandes once again.

Mount could play off the left with Patrick Dorgu injured, although Matheus Cunha has that position at the moment, and he could play alongside Casemiro, a position currently nailed down by Kobbie Mainoo. Mount’s best hope is minutes off the bench.

His biggest issue at Old Trafford has been his fitness. He has now had three separate injury absences this season, taking the total to seven since he signed for United. He has missed 55 games in total due to injuries.

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Before United’s win against Fulham, which happened to be the first game he missed with his latest injury issue, Carrick was asked about Mount and a potential role for him this season.

“I’m a big fan of Mason,” he said. “I think he’s got so many good things to like about him. His quality to start with, his attitude, his personality.

“That’s why we’ve got the squad. Certain times, certain games, certain players will play and as we work through the season, that will come into fruition. Again, I like Mason a lot and I think he’s an important player for this team and this club.”

Most coaches are drawn to Mount, but finding a position for him in this team right now looks difficult. While Mainoo is making a late run for inclusion in England’s World Cup squad, Mount’s chances of reuniting with Thomas Tuchel look to be over.

If he does get a chance in the coming weeks, with United’s fixture list sparse, he will need to make sure he takes it.

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