The attention now turns to the EFL Cup as Manchester United prepare to welcome Barnsley to Old Trafford.
United beat Southampton 3-0 on Saturday afternoon to get back on track after defeats against Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool.
Erik ten Hag will be seeking a comfortable night against League One opposition and may look to rotate his squad as the Tykes visit.
Fans will be hoping to see Manuel Ugarte start after his encouraging cameo against Southampton with the Uruguayan primed for more action.
Mason Mount injury latest
One man we won’t see in action in the United midfield is Mason Mount.
Mount picked up another injury as he was forced off at half-time against Brighton and Hove Albion.
The initial expectation was that Mount would miss around four or five weeks of action.
The Manchester Evening News now report that Mount is back in full training and and could feature for United again this month.
Mount is only just over three weeks removed from his injury, so his rehabilitation appears to be progressing well.
It’s noted that a player only usually returns to full training when they are close to a return, raising hopes of Mount being back imminently.
However, Mount will not be involved against Barnsley.
Ten Hag told the Manchester Evening News that Mount is ‘not ready’ to face Barnsley, just like Victor Lindelof and Rasmus Hojlund.
Mount can still play vital for United
It’s fair to say that Mount hasn’t quite lived up to expectations since leaving Chelsea for United in a deal which could reach £60million.
Mount only managed five Premier League starts last season with injuries hampering his impact at Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old started the first two games of this season though and whilst he didn’t come up with goals or assists, his pressing ability was clear.
Mount has shown himself to be superb at pressing opponents and it was notable that United seemed to lose some control when he was substituted against Fulham.
Whether it’s as a midfielder, a makeshift forward or as somebody who can take some pressure off Bruno Fernandes over the course of the season, Mount can still make his presence felt.
The key is for Mount to stay fit and everybody around United will have everything crossed that he can stay injury-free after his latest blow.
De Gea had made two Europa Conference League appearances so far, one of which remarkably ended with him stealing the show in a penalty shoo.
After the nightmare shootout in the Europa League final against Villarreal, De Gea’s heroics suggested he was a changed man.
David de Gea makes Serie A debut
After a wait due to the international break, David de Gea made his Serie A debut for Fiorentina away at Atalanta.
Fiorentina lost the game 3-2, having led twice, an unhappy way for the goalkeeper to end his first league match since May 2023.
De Gea made four saves from the seven shots at goal he faced. Of the goals he conceded, one had a familiar feel.
A ball floated into the box at the end of the first half saw midfielder Charles De Ketalaere rise highest to head past De Gea, who was rooted to the spot.
Already, this has been noted in Italy. Former Fiorentina player Alberto Malusci expressed his annoyance to Viola News.
He said: “On the second goal, I’m sorry to say, but De Gea should have done more.
“The goalie needs to exit the small area.”
De Gea could have thought his defenders could handle the threat, but they couldn’t, and the finest goalkeepers handle these circumstances.
Although De Gea’s amazing reflexes have already been demonstrated in his Europa League matches, it was these weaknesses in his game that led United to decide to change their strategy and add Andre Onana.
First home league game awaits
Another milestone awaits David de Gea next weekend with his first Serie A home game against Lazio looming.
With three draws and one loss from four games so far this season, the Spaniard will be hoping to lead his team to its first victory.
De Gea is one of United’s finest ever goalkeepers, and also figures among the highest appearance makers of all time.
Although it’s obvious that he would have like to remain at Old Trafford, he is currently settling into life in Italy, so we would anticipate more strong performances than weak ones.
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