Mason Mount has missed more Manchester United matches than he has played
Mason Mount has missed more Manchester United matches than he has played
“You could probably see the look on my face when it happened. I knew what it meant.” Mason Mount offered a raw and candid insight into his mindset on Friday night, having picked up yet another injury for Manchester United last weekend.
His setback sustained at Manchester City had largely been forgotten thanks to Amad’s last-gasp winner. Perhaps that’s bittersweet. Sweet in the sense that less limelight will be shone on his injury woes but bitter in that no player wants to be forgotten.
His Instagram post may have re-jogged people’s attention - not that this was ever the aim. “Words can’t portray how devastated I’m feeling right now,” the 25-year-old wrote.
It’s natural that discussion shifts away from players during their time out, but it’s always worth remembering the mental self-anguish many go through while football and life itself chugs on.
In reality, it is a mild inconvenience for fans that a squad member is not available on matchday. For the player, it is their whole livelihood ruined for that period of absence.
Many will point to the bank balance of such esteemed footballers, and perhaps understandably so amid all the cost-cutting and ticket price rises under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but that does not negate the impact injuries have on a person’s welfare.
Which is why what Mount said next in Friday’s statement is so inspiring. “United fans, you may not know me too well yet, but one thing I can guarantee, I will never give up or lose faith,” Mount added.
“I’ve said this before, but I will continue to give everything, get through this tough period and won’t stop until that’s achieved.”
That is a battle cry to get back fit again but also an admission - "you may not know me too well yet" - that supporters have not seen the true Mount in full flow.
He recognises more than anybody that questions will be being asked on his £60million price tag, despite this lofty fee not being his fault or doing.
Mount has played just 21 Premier League games since his arrival almost 18 months ago. He has been absent from 42 matchday squads across all competitions during his time at Old Trafford - which is 10 more than the number of games he’s played in overall.
Again, Mount himself will know this. He is fully aware that the jury is still out on his current level of quality as a result of his persistent setbacks. No-one need continually remind him, either.
The good news is that head coach Ruben Amorim is a fan, the new boss saying he “loves that kid”. His contract does not expire until 2028 so he still holds value. He is still only 25.
His mission now is to get up once again and make sure he is not on the list of ‘players you forgot used to play for United’ in future years. There’s still plenty of time, and he can still make an impact so that supporters do get to know the true Mount.