Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has eased fears of a fresh injury to Mason Mount after his early withdrawal in Tuesday's 3-0 EFL Cup win over Crystal Palace.
The 24-year-old was making only his third competitive appearance for the Red Devils in the third-round encounter, having spent a few weeks in the treatment room with a thigh problem.
Mount was one of the stars of the show for Man United during the first half, playing a prominent role in the move which saw Alejandro Garnacho's strike deflect off Rob Holding and into the back of the net.
Just six minutes later, the former Chelsea man sent in a pinpoint delivery to Casemiro from a corner, and the Brazilian expertly directed a header into the far corner to double the holders' tally.
However, Mount was then taken off during the half-time interval, as Ten Hag introduced another centre-back in Victor Lindelof, before Anthony Martial fired home at the back post from Casemiro's cross to make it three for the hosts.
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Mount's half-time withdrawal raised a few alarm bells, but Ten Hag confirmed that the England international's early change was pre-planned given his recent lengthy layoff.
"He is returning from an injury and we have to build this up. If you go too quickly you get a drop and we want to avoid that," Ten Hag told Sky Sports News when questioned on Mount's substitution.
The midfielder had started both of Man United's opening Premier League fixtures with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur in the 2023-24 season, but he failed to complete the full 90 in either of them and sustained his thigh injury against the latter.
Man United lost three of their five games without Mount in the side, and the 24-year-old's assist for Casemiro on Wednesday was his first goal contribution for the club since his £55.9m arrival from Chelsea in the summer.
Mount's injury comeback was one of a few selection-related headlines for the EFL Cup holders on Wednesday, as Sofyan Amrabat also made his first start for the club since his loan arrival from Fiorentina on deadline day.
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With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia both out injured, and Sergio Reguilon missing out through illness, the Morocco international occupied an unfamiliar left-back role for most of the encounter before being taken off with 61 minutes on the clock.
Amrabat admitted after the match that he is still not quite back to his best, but he believes that Man United's three-goal win over the Eagles was "perfect", adding: "I think it was a perfect night, we played very well, most importantly won 3-0 it was a perfect night.
"It was very good performance, we started against Burnley with a very important win and today gave the fans something to enjoy. I am not in the moment at my best because it is normal with not a perfect pre-season, little injury and trained last two weeks very hard to be 100 per cent, if you play games you will be stronger and better."
Elsewhere, Ten Hag handed 19-year-old midfielder Daniel Gore his senior debut off the bench, while Donny van de Beek was also introduced in the second half for his first appearance of the season.
The Red Devils will renew hostilities with Palace in Saturday's Premier League clash, prior to which they will learn their EFL Cup fourth-round opponents following the conclusion of Wednesday's ties.
Ben Knapton
