Mason Mount's Manchester United signing was a Disastrous Recruitment Blunder

There comes a point when fans have to bite the bullet and accept that a signing just hasn't and won't work out. Unfortunately, that's the case for Mason Mount, who has endured a nightmare spell since joining Manchester United from Chelsea in the summer of 2023.

Red Devils fans were excited when the club won the race to sign Mount, given rumors of rivals Arsenal and Liverpool showing interest, per ESPN. The England international had flourished at Stamford Bridge, playing a pivotal role in their 2021 UEFA Champions League triumph.

Mount appears extremely popular and likeable with fans and in the locker room, but it's been a frustrating period for the player and the Old Trafford faithful. The injury issues have piled up for the former Derby County loanee, and it feels like United needs to accept that this acquisition was a failure. That's not to tarnish Mount's abilities, as he's shown that he's an incredible attacker when fit and in his pomp.

Manchester United's signing of Mason Mount has been disappointing

Mount has missed 30 games for Manchester United through injuries such as hamstring and calf problems. His debut season saw him appear just 20 times across competitions, managing one goal and one assist.

One of the main issues fans have with Mount's arrival from Chelsea, for a now eerie £60 million, is there has been no sign of where Erik ten Hag has planned to use him even when fit. This can't even be blamed on INEOS perhaps overruling the Dutchman, as they weren't in power during the 2023 summer transfer window.

So many different areas of the team needed attending to *cough* a new left-back *cough* rather than signing Mount when Bruno Fernandes was already United's attacking midfielder. Ten Hag has rarely opted to use the versatile attacker on the wing, a role he performed at Stamford Bridge, posting three goals and as many assists in seven games as a right winger.

This disregards the constant setbacks Mount has faced from a fitness perspective. Given the ongoing rebuild taking place under INEOS, one has to wonder when the Red Devils' chiefs will lose patience.

Erik ten Hag confirmed Mount suffered new setback

Mount won't be in action when Manchester United face Fenerbahce in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night (October 24). He was out of action anyway with a head injury suffered in the 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur last month. He's dealing with another injury blow with his hamstring playing up again.

Ten Hag gave an update on Mount in his pre-match press conference ahead of the visit to Fenerbahce (via The Sun):

"I think a bit longer [to wait for Mount], that's what we expected. I think he will be back soon."

Red Devil Armada Verdict

Mount is talented and it's frustrating that United didn't get their hands on the tricky and fearless Chelsea man who dazzled under Thomas Tuchel in west London. It's almost as if the Blues' higher-ups knew something was amiss regarding his fitness because the immediacy of the problems at Old Trafford is bizarre.

Perhaps a loan move for Mount could benefit him if he can get himself fit. It's puzzling trying to work out his place in Ten Hag's team. At £60 million, he surely should be more than a utility player.