Mount has started just one of United’s last six games (Picture: Getty)
Erik ten Hag insists his view of Mason Mount ‘has not changed at all’ after the midfielder uninspiring start to life at Manchester United.
Mount became United’s first signing of the summer transfer window, handed the famous no7 shirt after arriving at Old Trafford from Chelsea in a £55million deal.
The England international is still to score for his new side after 11 appearances with a string of underwhelming performances costing him his place in the starting XI in recent weeks.
A muscle injury ruled him out for five games but since his return to fitness at the end of September, has started just twice in the league.
Mount’s only start in United’s last six games was in their dreadful Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle, racking up just 64 minutes of game time in those other five appearances off the bench.
Ten Hag was quizzed on Mount’s role in the side at a press conference on Friday ahead of the weekend visit of Luton Town.
The Dutchman suggested the form of other players has kept Mount of the side, adding his injury setback in September affected his ability to integrate him into the team.
Mount has featured mainly as a sub since returning from injury (Picture: Getty)
Asked about Mount’s lack of starts, ten Hag replied: ‘He had some starts.
‘Also recently, last week against Newcastle, but there are always reasons and sometimes, like the injury [at start of the season] and other players doing well, then you have to wait for your time to play.’
Asked if expectations over the man he made his first summer signing have changed, he continued: ‘It hasn’t changed at all.
‘But he started the season, then he got injured, so that is the worst moment for a new player to get injured because it stops the integration process and that was a setback for us all.
‘Now we have to find his place back.’
United are in desperate need of a win on Saturday against Luton following their defeat to Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Johnny Evans, preferred to Raphael Varane at the back in recent weeks, was forced off early in that game and will miss the visit of the Hatters.
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The £55m signing has been getting used to life on the sub’s bench.