Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount could be out of action for longer than initially anticipated – which could prompt Erik ten Hag into a transfer rethink.
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On Tuesday, the Red Devils confirmed that their £55million summer signing had picked up a ‘small injury complaint’ in Saturday’s defeat to Tottenham.
The update only ruled Mount out of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest and next week’s showdown with Arsenal, and he was expected to return after the international break.
However, the Telegraph are reporting that United’s initial assessment was rather optimistic and the 24-year-old could face between four and six weeks on the sidelines.
Rather than only missing two matches, Mount faces being out of action until early October which would see him miss up to six more games.
United are due to host Brighton in the first game back after the international break, followed by an away trip to Burnley – who actually beat Ten Hag’s side in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday.
The Red Devils will also have a Carabao Cup third-round fixture and the first of their Champions League group stage matches.
If Mount’s lay-off is closer to the six-week mark, then his participation in Premier League home matches against Crystal Palace on September 30 and Brentford on October 7 could also be in doubt.
The Telegraph’s report claims the injury blow to Mount could have repercussions with regard to United’s transfer plans before the window closes.
Ten Hag had been willing to let Scott McTominay – who has fallen down the pecking order recently – leave the club, but he may now be retained in order to provide much-needed cover in midfield.
With Fred having been sold, Kobbie Mainoo injured and Christian Eriksen not expected to play as regularly this season, the injury to Mount has left Ten Hag with precious few options in the short-term.
As such, McTominay is now more likely to stay at Old Trafford – a decision which has also been influenced by Newcastle and West Ham cooling their interest in the Scotland international.
The situation could change yet again if United were able to bring in a new midfielder before next week’s transfer deadline, with Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat still linked with a move, but as things stand McTominay will now be needed to step in during Mount’s spell on the sidelines.
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