Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount has been dealt another blow with a setback in his recovery from injury.
The former Chelsea star came off the bench against Tottenham on Sunday but was forced off in the second-half with blood pouring from his head after a clash with Spurs defender Radu Dragusin.
The 25-year-old required stitches and did not participate in open training on Wednesday and was also left of the United squad that travelled to Portugal for tonight’s Europa League clash against Porto.
That head injury would have likely forced Mount out anyway but Erik ten Hag revealed at a press conference on Wednesday the midfielder also picked up a separate knock which has ruled him out this week.
‘He had a head injury and also he picked up a knock,’ Ten Hag said. ‘They are the two reasons why he is not available for tomorrow.’
Mount’s update this week prompted a fierce backlash with frustrated supporters not in a sympathetic mood following the humiliating defeat at Tottenham days earlier.
The midfielder was urged to ‘read the room’ by supporters on X with one user accusing him of having ‘zero shame’.
Mount has had a miserable run of injury problems since swapping Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford in the summer of 2023.
In a disastrous first season at the club, he missed 30 of United’s 52 matches, starting just eight games in all competitions and scoring just one goal.
Mount featured prominently during the club’s pre-season preparations, earning a place in the starting XI for the start of the new Premier League season in opening games against Fulham and Brighton.
A hamstring injury suffered in the defeat to the Seagulls sidelined him for three games, making his return of the bench in the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.
Kobbie Mainoo meanwhile has made the trip to Portugal after shaking a knock he picked up in the same game.
Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are United’s other senior options in midfield with Toby Collyer joined by another United youngster in Dan Gore.
Luke Shaw meanwhile remains unavailable with ten Hag hopeful he can call upon him for the first time this season after October’s international break.
‘I don’t know if it’s the first game, we’re hoping for,’ ten Hag said. ‘I can’t in this moment tell this 100 per cent with security but from now on we have two-and-a-half weeks to work to the point but shortly definitely after he will be there.
United’s trip to Porto is swiftly followed by another to Aston Villa on Sunday.