Manchester United may have secret weapon as forgotten man is lauded for ‘outstanding’ pre-season performance

Mason Mount may have endured a stop-start Manchester United career so far – but he could prove to the club’s secret weapon in the coming season.

The 26-year-old has failed to live up to his hefty price tag since joining from Chelsea in a deal rising to £60million in 2023.

Repeated injuries have limited the 36-cap England international to just 47 appearances in all competitions across his two years at Old Trafford.

He has found the back of the net on just four occasions – with two of his strikes coming in the Premier League.

But he is currently enjoying his longest run with the Red Devils without an injury.

Mount featured in each of United’s last nine top-flight outings last term, while also being ever-present from the quarter-finals onwards in their run to the Europa League final.

And he has played in each of his side’s pre-season matches ahead of the 2025/26 campaign – helping United scoop the Premier League Summer Series title in America.

Having beaten West Ham and Bournemouth, Mount came off the bench in the recent 2-2 draw with Everton to help United seal glory Stateside.

Found by Bruno Fernandes inside the box, Mount swivelled and curled in an exquisite shot into the bottom right corner to put United 2-1 up.

It was a goal that showed why United forked out an initial £55m to secure his services as he reminded fans of the qualities that he can bring.

And for talkSPORT co-host Jeff Stelling, he was blown away by Mount’s display in the four-goal thriller at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Discussing United’s overall performance on the Sports Breakfast show, he said: “Defensively, even in a pre-season game – and of course there was a lot of changes – they were very worrying.

“However, on the plus side, Mason Mount came on in the second half as a substitute.

“He scored a brilliant goal and he was outstanding.”

His comments led co-host and former Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend to state that Mount could be the difference maker for United and boss Ruben Amorim.

Townsend remarked: “Well that’s good, because when Mason was in the blue at Chelsea, he was always such a threat in and around the edge of the box.

“He could shoot from distance, he could get on the end of things, he could make the difference in tight games for his team.

“Since he’s gone to Old Trafford, injuries of course have hampered him massively.

“But he’s not shown anything like what I think he’s about, so that’s good news to hear that he’s coming on with the bit about him and really having a go and looking sharp.

“I honestly feel that Mason is good enough to not only go into United and play, but to go into United and be one of their key players.”

Echoing Townsend’s view, Stelling then stated: “When he was at Chelsea, I was a big, big fan.

“But it just for all sorts of reasons, just hasn’t happened to him at Old Trafford.

“But look, good luck to him, if he can stay fit, seriously, he made a difference when he came on [vs Everton], that is for sure.”

Later on in the show, United legend Rio Ferdinand arrived in the studio where he too waxed lyrical about Mount and expressed his hope that his injury nightmare is behind him.

What has Rio Ferdinand said about Mason Mount?

Ferdinand said: “I saw him out in Chicago and one of the things I said to him was, ‘How are you feeling?’

“Because he’s been robbed of any minutes really for injury. It’s been really really disappointing to see.

“Being injured and in the shadows, I never had that at a new club. That is so depressing. It can take your soul away at times.

“I’m sure he’s been in some dark moments. He will be like a new signing. I think this is no surprise.

“Whenever he’s been fit in his career he’s played, at Chelsea especially. Managers have played him when they won the Champions League.

“He was one of the most important players. He has the quality. He has the work ethic. He has the legs.

“He has the ability to be a really really good top player. I just hope he gets the time to play minutes to show himself.”

Mount will be looking to continue his impressive pre-season so far in United’s final match against Fiorentina this weekend.

And he will be hoping his displays will have convinced Amorim to start him in the club’s Premier League opener against title challengers Arsenal on August 17.