- Manchester United face Leeds
- Mason Mount has returned to full fitness
- Michael Carrick happy to have him back
Manchester United return to Premier League action on Monday night after a 24-day break, hosting traditional rivals Leeds United at Old Trafford.
The Reds have enjoyed an upturn in form since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January, winning seven of their nine league games under the interim boss. Now, with Champions League qualification firmly in their own hands, Carrick’s side face a Leeds team desperate to end a dismal run.
United have only lost one of 14 Premier League games since Christmas Day, with only league leaders Arsenal earning more points during that period. Carrick has won all six league games at Old Trafford as manager, one in 2021 and five this year, and another victory on Monday would strengthen his case for the permanent job while pushing Leeds deeper into relegation trouble.
Carrick on Mason Mount’s return
Mason Mount has missed the majority of Carrick’s reign but is now back in full training. He came on in the second half of the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth before the international break.
Carrick spoke enthusiastically about the midfielder’s comeback ahead of the Leeds game:
“First of all, it’s great to have Mason back, to miss him so quickly after we came in and came together. He’s obviously had nearly two or three weeks of building up and finding his rhythm, finding his sharpness. It’s great to have him back.”
Carrick highlighted Mount’s versatility as a major asset.:
“I think his versatility is a big strength of his. He can play through the middle, he can play midfield, he can play wide and he can do so many different roles. He’s certainly a team player, but he’s a player that I really like. There’s loads to come from this. We’ve just got to give him the time to get fit again and be patient with that, but he’s certainly in a good place right now.”
Mount has appeared 20 times across competitions this season, posting 3 goals and 1 assist. He joined the club from Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for £60m but will need to prove his worth soon amid talk over his future.
Man United Eyeing Another Old Trafford Win
Leeds arrive at Old Trafford in desperate shape. Daniel Farke’s side sit 15th, having failed to register a single victory in regular time across their last nine outings in all competitions.
Their last Premier League win came on 7 February against Nottingham Forest. Leeds have won just once across their last 20 league meetings with United and are winless in 10 since a 1-0 home victory in September 2002.
In the reverse fixture at Elland Road earlier this season, Brenden Aaronson put the Whites ahead before Matheus Cunha cancelled it out in a 1-1 draw, which became Ruben Amorim’s final match before his dismissal.
United will be without Harry Maguire, who was sent off against Bournemouth before the break, but Lisandro Martinez is back in training and could feature.
A United win would cement third place and edge the Reds closer to a Champions League return. For Leeds, another defeat would leave them looking nervously over their shoulder at the relegation zone.
