Manchester United are hard at work in training ahead of the FA Cup final, and planning has been boosted by the return of one player.
Erik ten Hag will finally have an almost fully fit squad this weekend for the FA Cup final, which makes the world of difference considering how many injuries his squad have faced.
It’s been a season in which Manchester United have suffered an unprecedented number of injuries which will no doubt have affected the disappointing football Old Trafford has witnessed.
But on Saturday at Wembley, United have the opportunity to make this a distant memory by ending the season on a high, and the chances of victory will be helped by one more player returning from injury.
Mason Mount makes his return to Manchester United training
Mason Mount hasn’t had the first season at United that he’d have hoped for and it’s set to end with him making no more than 20 appearances in all competitions.
But in a boost for Ten Hag, he’s now back in training after his most recent injury and looks likely to be in the squad for the trip to Wembley this weekend, after being photographed on Wednesday in the rain at Carrington.
Despite his struggles, Mount has come in clutch for United on one occasion this season, scoring late on against Brentford. So with the cup final now on his agenda, he has the chance to rid himself of that bad season and set himself up for a successful year two.
Mount has been out injured for three games and since an injury was picked up in training after the 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace.
Why Mount’s return is a massive boost for Erik ten Hag
While the return of Mount may not seem like a huge boost given his struggles throughout this season, it’s more of a boost than it may have originally seemed.
In recent weeks, injuries have meant that the options on the bench haven’t been ideal with mostly academy prospects and on occasion multiple goalkeepers.
Mount returning, along with those who have been in training for the past week or so such as Anthony Martial, means Ten Hag has options and can implement different plans.
Having a player of Mount’s quality on the bench, with a point to prove, could be of real benefit to United against City, considering how tough a game it’s going to be.
If United are to surprise City and lift the trophy, then it’s through using the depth and the likes of Mount to their benefit that it’ll happen.