Reputations are a difficult thing to shake in any walk of life.
For some, they can be predominantly good and inspire positivity at every turn. While others must operate within a negative spectrum regardless of any upside.
Mason Mount is, perhaps, the finest example of a man contending with the ramifications of a troublesome past.
Fresh off the back of another captivating pre-season display against Atletico Madrid, the midfielder is staking his claim for a regular berth in a double pivot for Manchester United.
Michael Carrick is a well-documented admirer and views his sublime technical portfolio as a worthy match for the instinctive nature of his playmaking.
Still, injuries have been the most common talking point since Mount opted to take his talents up north, and he has, as a result, struggled to win over many within the fanbase.
But with 19 days remaining, at the time of writing, until the Reds open their Premier League calendar against Hull, a suggestion is building around the benefits of utilising the 27-year-old behind Bruno Fernandes indefinitely.
And although some remain squimish about placing their eggs in his basket instead of opting for a third summer signing, Carrick and Co appear to be firmly behind their man.
All things considered, is Mount fit for purpose at Manchester United?
This may seem like a rather blunt question, but for many, it is valid.
Before continuing, it would be nonsensical to avoid the cruel injury history that has plagued Mount since arriving at Old Trafford in July 2023.
His £55 million fee was hardly pocket change, even in the football world, and a return of 10 setbacks has placed the former Chelsea star under expected scrutiny.
In total, Mason has sat out 70 fixtures across 394 days, due to everything from niggling muscle issues to knocks.
As I regularly say, availability is the greatest attribute that any player can offer any team during any era.
For this reason alone, I understand why some would hail his transfer as underwhelming and nothing short of a failure. Despite the pockets of brilliance, it is difficult to argue with the figures.
However, you can also view Mount’s situation through optimistic glasses and appreciate that a calculated medical effort was undertaken last season.
A niggling knock from the end of December persisted into mid-March, leaving the player frustrated in missing another seven fixtures. But his rehabilitation was handled differently on that occasion.
Given the enhancements that Carrington has received through a multi-million-pound investment, medical facilities are among the very finest in the European game.
Mount could have returned to first-team action sooner, but a decision was taken to delay his senior responsibilities and instead focus on building optimum strength and resistance in troublesome areas.
As a result, our sources previously confirmed that Carrick and his backroom team would be inheriting a player who was primed for a successful reintegration, with routine assessments ongoing.
Say what you will about the results of pre-season fixtures because they’re irrelevant, but individual performances matter. And Mount has, thus far, been nothing short of sublime.
Having welcomed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans into the midfield fold at United, Carrick now has two differing profiles to enhance his options.
In Santos, a positionally shrewd individual with defensive intelligence to match his forward-thinking mindset. While in Tielemans, a proven architect with elite distribution across domestic, European and international playing fields.
Add to that the ever-growing capabilities of Kobbie Mainoo, as he enhances his claim as an elite 8, and the majesty that is the division’s standout star in Fernandes, and Mount is in good company.
We know that the Ineos sporting team continues to assess the market, and a third acquisition remains possible, with Carlos Baleba, Manu Kone, Sander Berge and Tyler Adams all viable names.
But there is an alternative world in which a decision is taken to utilise the remaining funds elsewhere in the squad.
If Chelsea’s two-time Player of the Season has been the definition of unfortunate with injuries, Fernandes, in contrast, has been the polar opposite, missing just six games since February 2020.
Despite having to contend with additional fixtures in Europe, it’s hard to imagine a time when Bruno will not lead his team in the majority of outings.
Therefore, it’s plausible that the aforementioned quartet will split their time between the remaining two spots. That’s before even factoring in the likes of Tyler Fletcher or Shea Lacey, with the latter impressing on tour.
Is it a dangerous move to disregard adding a third midfield player in place of a very talented technician with a troublesome history of recurring injuries? Yes, of course it is, given everything that has been and gone.
Nonetheless, Omar Berrada and Co are operating in a system where each employee’s word is considered, and the medical department feels that Mason has overcome the worst of his problems.
Add to that the appreciation he has from Carrick, Steve Holland, and the entire coaching team, and the four-man list of Mainoo, Santos, Tielemans, and Mount appears well-placed to manage two positions, regardless of the schedule.
All of this does not squash ongoing deliberations about adding another option, but it has supplied ample food for thought internally.
And although the decision may be deemed contentious, or lacking the required ambition to return United to the head of the table, it is possible that Mount will be handed the opportunity to finally earn his £55m fee.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments or across our social channels.
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