Mason Mount's story at Manchester United has been one of great performances mixed in with several periods on the sidelines due to injury, and this summer was no different.

The English midfielder was United's best performer during the early games of pre-season, but an injury against Paris Saint-Germain during the fourth game of United's summer saw him ruled out of games five and six.

Then, Mount missed the first two games of the campaign, against Hull City and Ipswich Town, and although he made the bench against Everton, he was an unused substitute.

Mount is part of a new-look midfield department at United, with Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans, and Andrey Santos joining him, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo for the coming campaign.

Last season, Mount did not see too much action as the club only had one game a week, and with Mainoo, Casemiro, and Fernandes forming a stunning trio across the second half of the campaign, the Englishman found it hard to get a look-in.

However, with two games a week for a lot of this season looking likely, the Reds had to bring in reinforcements, and Mount will be looking to feature much more often, assuming he can stay fit.

The £55 million signing from Chelsea recently spoke to United's official magazine, where he was asked how he feels the extra competition for places in the squad has affected him and the team so far.

“I think the additions within the squad really improve the squad," Mount explained to club media.

“The competition for places is high, and I think that's a must-have, because it ups the level, ups everyone's level within the team."

Mount also added that he feels the extra technical quality that Santos and Tielemans, alongside new goalkeeper signing Karl Darlow, has levelled up the standard and quality of training this season.

“Game by game, you're competing during the week and training to get into the team and start the game, so everyone's got to be ready," Mount continued.

“That definitely improves the standard. You can see it already, the standard in training has gone up, so that will only improve the squad as a whole.”

This season will be Mount's fourth in Red, and if he does not prove himself to be a player who can stay fit and reliable, it may well be his last.

Carrick's appointment gave many players in the squad the chance to reset and impress from the beginning, and the United boss has clearly taken a liking to Mount, although those higher up will need to see value from him this coming season.

Mount's current contract is set to expire in 2028, meaning that the end of this season will be the final summer in which United could command a transfer fee for him.

If Mount wants to be part of United's plans long-term, he will need to show United and Carrick why he deserves a new contract before the season ends.