Erik ten Hag drops strong hint that £55m Manchester United star could now start against Chelsea

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted Mason Mount is a ‘fantastic’ player ahead of the visit to Stamford Bridge tomorrow night. Mount has returned to full fitness and even scored against Brentford last weekend.

The former Chelsea forward is returning to Stamford Bridge for the first time since making his £55million move to Old Trafford in the summer. The 25-year-old came through the ranks at Chelsea and helped the team win the Champions League under Thomas Tuchel in 2021.

Asked what the situation of the England international was ahead of the trip to west London, United manager Ten Hag said: "He's a fantastic football player but it's important first that he is getting and keeping fit.”

"You see it now with Licha, another injury. So you want to avoid and we have to do this carefully. This is the first objective: to keep him fit. We want to use him [so] that he can benefit and contribute to the team like he did on Saturday when he had a big impact."

Chelsea offered Mount three contracts before he signed for Manchester United even though there is another side of the story that says the player felt the club did not prioritise him until he had agreed a deal with United. 

For many Chelsea fans, Mount was seen as the perfect Cobham graduate and his departure has left a sour taste in the mouth of a section of the fanbase. It remains unclear the kind of reception he gets tomorrow night.