Manchester United may be confronted with the prospect of Mason Mount's departure during the summer transfer window, with the midfielder continuing to attract Premier League interest. The 27-year-old is nearing three years since his £55million transfer from Chelsea, yet has failed to establish himself as a consistent presence.
The midfielder has only made 66 appearances for the club with seven goals and two assists during that period. Injuries have been the most significant worry for Mount during this spell, having previously shown his quality in the Premier League. Despite those setbacks in recent seasons, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown insists Mount has been an outstanding presence on the training ground and within the dressing room, but could still leave in the summer transfer window.
Speaking to Football Insider about the midfielder and a potential departure, Brown said: "There's going to be no shortage of interest in a player like Mount.
"He's got a very good reputation and he's spoken about very highly at Man United. Everybody I speak to says what a wonderful trainer he is, he works very hard and his general demeanour around the club and in the dressing room is good.
"That's always good to hear if you're looking into a player because it's important to bring people in who have the right attitude and application.
"I'm told Aston Villa have been keen on him before and I'm sure he's still on their radar, and then you've got teams like Fulham who will be looking if he is made available.
"I can imagine there are a number of Premier League teams who could do with a player like Mount. It's just about whether he can stay fit for long enough to make a difference, I think that's what will make or break any move for him, and the money involved as well."
Whilst his long-term prospects remain unclear, Manchester United will be hoping his immediate future involves returning to full fitness and aiding the club's push for Champions League qualification.
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Mount has been sidelined since early February with his most recent fitness setback, though Michael Carrick indicated he could return to action imminently. The interim manager informed reporters: "Mason is getting closer, he's on the grass, he's looking to train and be around it. We've just had to be patient really."
Mount didn't feature for Man United in their comeback win over Crystal Palace over the weekend, while a return against Newcastle in midweek may be a quick turnaround. Beyond then, the midfielder could target the clashes with Aston Villa or Bournemouth, while an international break will give another two-week rest period.
Throughout this campaign, Mount has demonstrated considerable ability operating as a false nine, attacking midfielder or within the midfield partnership, though it's unclear how significantly he can influence proceedings upon his comeback.