Mason Mount has two new Manchester United competitors after injury return

It is 171 days since Mason Mount last started for Manchester United in the Premier League. It could be closer to 200 by the time he finally does again.

Mount's last start in the league was the last meeting with Brentford back in October, he will most likely just be on the bench when they return to face them on Saturday night.

The 25-year-old will be looking to make up for lost time after such a long spell on the sidelines, but he returns to the United set-up with two new competitors standing in his way.

Mount was Erik ten Hag's top midfield target last summer but he has not lived up to expectations so far. He has just one assist from 13 appearances across all competitions and even that came in a misleading Carabao Cup victory over Crystal Palace, in which the opponents effectively surrendered.

Those underwhelming numbers certainly haven't helped his case, but regardless of the modern fascination with goal contributions, the £55million fee seemed excessive for a player who would have been available on a free this summer otherwise.

What is most confusing though, is that despite Mount being such a high priority addition to the side, he never appeared to have a clear role in the United starting line up. Mount's best performances at Chelsea came when he was utilised in an attacking midfield role, a position he was never likely to fill at United due to Bruno Fernandes' dominance of the role.

He also played as a makeshift right winger when required in matches that his side playing on the counter-attack, another role he was earmarked for at United, given their frequent reliance on the tactic against the best opposition. It means Mount was always best placed to feature as a central midfielder under Ten Hag, where he would be tasked with connecting defence with attack and progressive play in the heart of the pitch, but even that looks less likely now as he prepares for his return to regular action.

The problem for him is that Kobbie Mainoo has been doing that to an exceptional standard in his absence and has taken his performances to an even higher level in the most recent weeks. Mainoo was due to act as the understudy to Mount during his debut season, yet now the teenager is ahead of him in the pecking order for both club and country. It means the former Chelsea player will have to make do with a supplementary role for much of the campaign and effectively act as the back-up to Mainoo whenever he gets the opportunity.

Another blow for Mount is that his role on the right wing is less certain now as well. United had always lacked a standout option in that position but they now have a welcome selection dilemma there instead. Alejandro Garnacho has shone on the right in recent weeks and although his long-term future is still probably best served on the opposite flank, both Antony and Amad impressed in the chaotic comeback win over Liverpool last time out.

Mount still offers plenty as a makeshift winger given his high work rate and defensive strengths, but it is unclear whether he would actually start there given the other options they have there and the fact that Fernandes has also played there before.

It all adds to the continued uncertainty surrounding his debut season at the club with United fans no closer to knowing where the £55 million man fits into the picture when everyone is fully fit.

He is back in the squad but Mount won't be back in the starting line up.