Carrick: Break benefited Mason

The midfielder has had an unfortunate 2026 so far, following a promising first half of the season.

After featuring from the bench – and having a late goal ruled out – during Carrick’s first game, against Manchester City, Mount was sidelined for two months with injury.

He returned in the closing stages of our most recent encounter, at Bournemouth, and has now benefited from working at Carrington and in the Republic of Ireland, during the long break.

“It’s great to have Mason back, to miss him so quickly after we came in and came together,” Carrick said.

“So, he’s obviously had what, nearly two, three weeks of building up and finding his rhythm, finding his sharpness. So yeah, it’s great to have him back.”

With the Reds having changed system under Carrick, the boss was asked where he could see our no.7 fitting in between now and the end of the campaign.

“I think his versatility is a big strength,” he added.

“He can play through the middle, he can play in midfield, he can play wide, and he can do so many different roles. And he’s certainly a team player.

“He’s a player that I really like, and there’s loads to come from Mason, 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 made 20 appearances during 2025/26, scoring three times and providing one assist.

After Monday's game against Leeds, a reunion against former club Chelsea is on the horizon, in what will be a key battle in the race for Champions League football.