Erik ten Hag names star who is ‘like a new signing’ following Manchester United return

Following Manchester United’s horrid injury crisis last season, many players will want to prove themselves under Erik ten Hag this campaign.

Last season, Manchester United conceded over 80 goals across all competitions, and the club suffered more than 60 separate absences throughout the campaign, which severely impacted Erik ten Hag‘s ability to coach the side.

They finished eighth in the Premier League table at the end of the campaign and bottom of their Champions League group by Christmas, although a win in the FA Cup over Manchester City on the final day of the season helped raise spirits.

Read More: What caused Leny Yoro’s injury revealed as Man United ‘take positive’ from three-month layoff

Going into 2024/25, there is a very positive buzz around the club, with many players who sustained long periods of injury back in training and those returning or signing for the club, like Jadon Sancho, Joshua Zirkzee, and Leny Yoro, all settling in.

Although injuries to Casemiro, Rasmus Højlund, and Lisandro Martínez were sorely missed, one man who went under the radar was Mason Mount, who spent much of his first campaign as a Red with a calf injury.

In a new interview Ten Hag has agreed with the notion that having a fully fit Mount in his squad is like having a new signing at the club following his lack of minutes last season.

“I hope [so],” Ten Hag told club media. “I felt so sorry for him last year, but also for the team because he is an amazing player.

“We brought him last season to have that idea that he should contribute to higher levels for Manchester United. But we almost never saw it because he was not available. And that was such a disappointment for Mason, but also for the team and for our club.

“So I hope this year he is fit, and he looks very fresh, and he looks very fit in this moment. And then you see already his abilities, and I’m sure that he will contribute to our performance.”

Mount has been one of United’s most consistent performers across pre-season so far. He, along with Toby Collyer and Amad Diallo, has been vitally important across the club’s four fixtures ahead of the 2024/25 campaign and will no doubt play a major role in Ten Hag’s third season.

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