12 minutes into the Manchester derby on Sunday, Mason Mount dropped to the floor with yet another injury problem. He was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo at the Etihad Stadium and had to be helped from the field, shattered mentally as much as physically.
It has become a common occurrence for Mount since leaving Chelsea, where he was so consistent and available for almost all of his time. The big-money move to Old Trafford - which could bring in as much as £60million to Stamford Bridge if add-ons are met - has not gone well.
Mount only played 20 times in his first season at the club, scoring a single goal. In the Premier League alone he started just five times, missing most of Erik ten Hag's last full term in charge with fitness issues.
Those problems continued over the summer but Mount was highlighted as someone for new manager Ruben Amorim to turn to in his 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 system that Thomas Tuchel used to great effect at Chelsea. In his first few appearances under the Portuguese head coach, Mount became an early trusted squad member.
His Manchester derby ended prematurely, though, with what looks to be yet another muscle problem. He has already missed over 30 matches for United with a host of issues.
Mount was rarely absent for Chelsea and played almost 3,000 league minutes alone in his first two seasons in the senior team under Tuchel and Frank Lampard. The 2022/23 campaign saw Mount suffer his first prolonged period out at SW6 as he failed to regain his spot during a period of great change at the club.
His exit at the end of that season came after a protracted transfer and contract saga with Chelsea and Mount blaming each other for the war of briefings to transpire. Mount's exit frustrated many within the fanbase as an example of the Clearlake Capital-Todd Boehly methods of selling academy graduates to boost financial matters, covering for mistakes in the market elsewhere.
The reaction from Mount and his father to joining United saw many turn against the Cobham graduate, however. Last season Mount was mocked by Chelsea supporters in a game against United before Enzo Fernandez made a pointed gesture of celebrating a late winner in front of him.
Since Mount's departure Chelsea have enjoyed the fruits of Cole Palmer, instead. Palmer effectively replaced Mount as the attacking hub of the team and has already scored more goals for the club despite playing over 100 matches fewer.
football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel
Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Chelsea stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!
Click this link to follow the football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel, where you'll be kept up to date on the latest Blues news wherever you are.
Just remember to turn on the notifications once you've followed, and you won't miss a beat!