Mason Mount Injury Update As Manchester United Face Fulham

Manchester United fans were left scratching their heads on Sunday as Mason Mount was a surprise absentee from the squad in the Premier League clash against Fulham at Old Trafford. The 27-year-old midfielder, who has recently enjoyed a steady run of fitness, was nowhere to be seen when the matchday squad was announced—prompting speculation and concern among supporters.

Interim head coach Michael Carrick, however, was quick to put minds at ease. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the 14:00 GMT kick-off, Carrick explained, "He took a bit of a knock in training. It is nothing serious. Obviously disappointing he is not with us today but he will be back with us very, very soon." It’s the sort of update that brings a sigh of relief, especially given Mount’s injury history since joining United in 2023.

Mount’s road at Old Trafford has been anything but smooth. After arriving from Chelsea in a £58.6 million move, he’s managed just 66 appearances for the Red Devils, notching seven goals and two assists over two and a half seasons. Injury setbacks have been a recurring theme, and last season he was limited to only 27 matches due to a hamstring issue. This term, though, things had been looking up: Mount has already featured 19 times in all competitions, scoring three goals, and had been available for most of the campaign.

His recent involvement under Carrick was limited but promising. Mount played a small part in the 2-0 win over Manchester City on January 18, coming off the bench and even finding the net—only for his goal to be ruled out for offside. He was an unused substitute in the dramatic 3-2 victory at Arsenal last weekend, with no mention of any fresh injury concerns during Carrick’s pre-match briefing. Yet, fate had other plans, with Mount sustaining a knock in training just days before the Fulham fixture.

"He picked up a small knock in training. Nothing serious—he’ll be back very soon," Carrick reiterated to Sky Sports News, hinting that the England international could return in time for the high-stakes clash with Tottenham Hotspur next Saturday. The manager’s confidence in Mount’s swift recovery was echoed across multiple interviews, with Carrick stating, "We’re disappointed he is not with us today but he’ll be back very soon."

Mount’s absence, while not expected to be long-term, is yet another bump in the road for a player whose United career has struggled to truly ignite. Despite a brief revival under former manager Ruben Amorim, Mount has started just 10 Premier League matches this season and has logged only a single minute since Carrick took the reins. The timing is unfortunate, as the Fulham match could have been a golden opportunity for Mount to stake his claim in the starting eleven, especially with first-choice left-sided attacker Patrick Dorgu ruled out.

Dorgu’s injury is a far more serious concern for Carrick’s side. The young attacker suffered a hamstring injury during the 3-2 win at Arsenal—an issue that could sideline him for up to 10 weeks. Carrick expressed his disappointment, saying, "Pat, unfortunately, he's going to be out for a period of time. We're still working through how long that's going to be. At the moment it looks a little bit more on the serious note. So, it'll be a few weeks for that. How many weeks? We'll have to wait and see." Dorgu’s absence is a blow, given his recent performances and his growing influence on the left flank.

With Dorgu sidelined, Carrick turned to Matheus Cunha to fill the attacking void against Fulham. The Brazilian forward has been in fine form, coming off the bench to score a stunning winner at Arsenal and earning praise from his manager. "It was a natural one, especially after the last two games, with what Matheus offers. He's got something that's a little bit different. He carries the ball, he's got a real presence on the pitch and he's done unbelievably well in both games when he's come on," Carrick explained.

Cunha’s inclusion meant that United’s attacking line-up still had a spark, with Bryan Mbeumo continuing as the central striker after his goal at Arsenal. The decision to go with Cunha over Benjamin Sesko was, in Carrick’s words, "a natural decision," given the Brazilian’s recent impact and versatility. Shea Lacey, another young talent, was named on the bench in Mount’s place, further underlining the depth Carrick has at his disposal even amid injury woes.

United’s squad depth is being tested at a crucial juncture in the season. The Red Devils are aiming for their third consecutive Premier League victory, which would see Carrick match a personal best set by his predecessor, Ruben Amorim. A win against Fulham would also propel United back into the Premier League’s top four, putting them four points clear of their London rivals as the race for European qualification intensifies.

Looking ahead, Manchester United face a demanding schedule. After Fulham, they host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on February 8, travel to West Ham United on February 10, and then face Everton on February 23. The hope within the United camp is that Mount will be fit to feature in these pivotal fixtures, especially with Dorgu’s prolonged absence leaving a gap on the left wing.

Despite the setback, there’s a sense of optimism around Mount’s condition. Carrick’s repeated assurances that the injury is minor have tempered fears of a lengthy layoff. The manager’s upbeat tone—"He'll be back with us very, very soon"—suggests that Mount could return to action as early as next weekend, providing a timely boost as United look to maintain their momentum in the league.

For Mount, the next few weeks represent another opportunity to prove his worth at Old Trafford. With competition for places fierce and the team battling on multiple fronts, the midfielder will be eager to shake off this latest knock and make a meaningful contribution. United fans, meanwhile, will be watching closely, hoping that both Mount and Dorgu can return to full fitness and help drive the club toward its season objectives.

As the dust settles on the Fulham fixture, all eyes now turn to the upcoming showdown with Tottenham. Will Mount make his comeback and seize his chance? Only time will tell, but for now, United’s injury concerns seem manageable, and the squad’s resilience is set to be tested once again in the weeks ahead.