Mount's Preseason Substitution Was Precautionary, Says Carrick

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has eased concerns over midfielder Mason Mount's fitness, confirming his early substitution during a preseason friendly against Paris Saint-Germain was a precautionary measure. Mount was replaced in the 20th minute of the 1-1 draw in Gothenburg on Saturday, August 8, 2026, after appearing to pull up following a challenge.

The 27-year-old, who has been plagued by injuries since joining United from Chelsea in 2023, was seen hobbling off the pitch and later went down the tunnel for evaluation. However, Carrick stated after the match that the decision was made to protect the player. "He got kicked. We just wanted to be careful and look after him. We've been lucky with injuries so far, so we wanted to be careful," Carrick told reporters. Mount has managed only 54 Premier League appearances in three seasons due to various issues.

The friendly served as a key opportunity for United to build match fitness ahead of the Premier League's return. The club is preparing to juggle domestic duties with Champions League football this season. United have two preseason matches remaining before their league opener against newly-promoted Hull City on...