Manchester United saw something unthinkable happen earlier this week when Bruno Fernandes missed his first ever game for the club through injury.
The assumption was that Bruno Fernandes would shake off his injury and play against Crystal Palace. He didn’t, and the result without him was not pretty.
Fernandes is still not back in training, yet, which could provide another opportunity for Mason Mount.
Mount was making his first start of 2024 and put in a disappointing performance. Rio Ferdinand said he had to ask if the 2021 Champions League winner was still on the pitch.
Let’s chalk that one off to a bad night all round. What about this coming Sunday at Old Trafford. A great opportunity awaits for Mount with the home fans behind him.
Big game a great opportunity for Mason Mount
Mason Mount needs a big game to kickstart his career. Manchester United v Arsenal at Old Trafford is the perfect stage.
Arsenal are an opponent Mount knows well from his Chelsea days, although with limited success. He has never scored against them in eight appearances, although does have three assists.
Mount did feature for Unitedin pre-season in New York in a win over the Gunners. There was a feel-good factor to the Red Devils back then, which is sorely lacking right now. A big win against title-chasing Arsenal could bring it back.
Mount was the surprise recipient of the number seven shirt when he signed from Chelsea last summer and United fans have not yet seen why. He has been injured for large stretches of the season, but even when fit, he has struggled to showcase what he is all about.
With Fernandes struggling for fitness but likely to return for the FA Cup final, Mount has a chance to stake his claim and build momentum. Monday night’s game against Palace was a blowout, but he can turn everything around with a breakout performance against the Gunners.
Arsenal thought deal for Mount was theirs
Mason Mount could quite easily have been playing for the visitors this weekend. Arsenal were leading the race for the midfielder before Manchester United entered the race.
Andy Mitten wrote in The National “Mikel Arteta wasn’t only an admirer, he thought Mount would sign for Arsenal and stay in London.”
ESPN claimed: “talks with Arsenal got so advanced that Mikel Arteta privately told his coaches that a transfer to the Emirates was “a done deal.”
While this is a chance for the Gunners to show Mount they really didn’t need him, as the league table proved, it’s also Mount’s opportunity to demonstrate he is the one that got away for them.
A win for United could end Arsenal’s title chances, leading to another trophyless season for the Gunners, while Mount could yet lift silverware at Wembley.