Manchester United have received a timely injury boost ahead of their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, with Mason Mount returning to training and Matthijs de Ligt edging closer to recovery.
Head coach Michael Carrick confirmed the update in his pre-match press conference as United prepare to host Palace at Old Trafford this weekend. The Red Devils are pushing to consolidate their position inside the top four after recent wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, either side of a draw at West Ham United.
Mason Mount injury update gives Manchester United lift
Mount has missed United’s last three matches after picking up a training-ground injury. The England international’s absence was felt during a demanding run of fixtures, though Carrick’s side still managed to collect seven points from nine available.
Carrick confirmed the midfielder is now back on the grass.
“Mason is getting closer. He’s on the grass and looking at being around it pretty soon. We’re just having to be patient, so we’re looking after him and making sure he’s ready for a big finish to the season.” — Michael Carrick
The phrasing suggests Mount may not start immediately against Palace but could be involved in the squad if progress continues smoothly.
Matthijs de Ligt recovery still uncertain
De Ligt’s situation is less definitive. The Dutch defender has not featured since suffering a back issue in November 2025, meaning he has yet to appear under Carrick since the managerial change from Ruben Amorim.
Carrick acknowledged improvement but stopped short of providing a timeline.
“It’s part of football unfortunately, so we’ll get him back when we can. It's just the nature of the issue really. It’s a difficult one to pin down a timeline. He’s definitely improving, so we're just working towards that really. I can’t give you more at this stage.”
Lisandro Martínez, who missed the 1-0 win over Everton with a calf problem, is expected to be sidelined for “one or two weeks,” which could rule him out against Palace.
Why this matters for United’s top-four push
United’s defensive depth has been tested in recent months. Having followed their recent fixtures closely, the team’s structure has looked more stable when senior centre-backs are available. De Ligt’s eventual return would provide experience and aerial presence during a crucial phase of the campaign.
However, it remains too early to determine whether either player will feature heavily before March concludes. Much will depend on how they respond to increased training loads.
What’s Next?
Manchester United host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford this weekend before entering a demanding stretch of league fixtures in March. Mount could return to matchday involvement shortly, while De Ligt’s comeback remains progressive rather than imminent.
Carrick is likely to continue managing workloads carefully, particularly with European qualification on the line.
Can United maintain momentum in the race for Champions League places as injured stars edge closer to full fitness?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *