Carrick is a 'big fan' of £55m Man Utd man, poised to return from injury vs Aston Villa

Manchester United will host Aston Villa in the Premier League later today.

United head coach Michael Carrick will be eager to put the disappointing 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United firmly behind him and guide his side back to winning ways.

Both teams currently sit on 51 points, meaning a victory for either side could provide a huge boost in the race for a coveted top-four finish.

Encouragingly for United, a positive injury update has emerged ahead of the contest.

According to reliable insider Sully, Mason Mount is expected to return to the matchday squad for today’s game.

The England international has trained with the first team in the last few days.

Carrick admitted that he is a “big fan” of Mount and sees him as a important part of the team.

The attacking midfielder picked up a knock in training ahead of the clash against Fulham at the beginning of February.

Although the issue was initially considered minor, the former Chelsea star has now missed the last six matches.

Signed for £55 million in 2023, Mount has so far struggled to fully justify the hefty price tag.

However, it would be unfair to judge him too harshly, as persistent injuries have prevented the Englishman from building any real momentum.

With only nine games remaining in the 2025–26 campaign, Carrick will be hoping Mount can still finish the season strongly.

His aggressive pressing and ability to deliver incisive forward passes make him a unique tactical option for United.

However, the most valuable attribute for any footballer remains availability. After all, even the most talented player cannot contribute if he is not fit enough to take the field.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .