Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount returned to training on Tuesday after four months out with a calf injury.
Mount has made just 12 appearances in all competitions for United since his £60 million ($76 million) transfer from Chelsea before the start of this season.
The 25-year-old last played when he came off the bench in United’s 1-0 win against Luton in November.
Even when he was fit to feature, Mount struggled to make an impact, leading some to brand the England international a flop.
But Mount could still have a chance to silence the critics this season after United confirmed he was back in training, having “remained upbeat and positive throughout his rehabilitation”.
The playmaker’s long-awaited return came just days after Erik ten Hag offered a promising update on his status.
“Mason Mount, I think he is in a good spell now and he will return shortly,” Ten Hag said on Friday. “I think after the international break.”
Mount is unlikely to feature in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool but could be involved when United travel to Brentford on March 30.
Mount’s presence will be a welcome boost to a United side looking to keep alive their faint hopes of Champions League qualification via a top-four finish in the Premier League.
United are eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with 10 games left.
Ten Hag expects Harry Maguire, Rasmus Hojlund and Aaron Wan-Bissaka to be back from injuries for Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford.
Lisandro Martinez, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia remain sidelined.
Off the pitch, United announced record second-quarter revenues of £225.8 million on Tuesday.
The results for the period until December 31 showed the club’s net profit was up 6.3 per cent to £20.4 million, although United’s debt remains at £509.6 million.
Following British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s recent purchase of a 25 percent stake, United’s overall revenue in 2024 is expected to be between £635 million and £665 million.
“We delivered strong revenues during the first half of the fiscal year and have reiterated our guidance for record revenues for the full fiscal year,” United’s chief financial officer Cliff Baty said.
“This is an exciting time at Manchester United following the completion of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment, and we are all focused on working together with our new co-owners to drive the club forward and deliver success on the pitch.”
