Mason Mount 'to return to Manchester United squad for Liverpool clash'

The former Chelsea man has been restricted to just 12 matches for the Red Devils since arriving from Stamford Bridge in the summer, having struggled with a severe calf injury.

Mount has only managed one assist for Erik ten Hag's team in that time and has not featured for the club since their 1-0 win over Luton Town in the Premier League on November 11.

However, the 25-year-old made his return to the training pitches earlier this week following his four-month layoff, and Ten Hag was positive about his condition in his pre-game press conference.

"What was very good was Mason Mount trained all week with us, the first part of the week also partly. But then, also he had some full sessions with us, so it's looking good," Ten Hag said.

According to The Athletic, the playmaker will be named in Ten Hag's squad for the visit of Liverpool to Old Trafford and could be one of four injured troops to return from the medical bay.

All of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Rasmus Hojlund are on track to feature after recovering from their afflictions, although as is the case with Mount, it is unclear whether any of them will be fit to start.

However, the Red Devils are still missing Lisandro Martinez, Anthony Martial, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw, while young striker Omari Forson is also nursing an unspecified concern.

Mount's return means that Ten Hag will be working with a fully-fit midfield contingent for the visit of the Reds, where he will compete with Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Sofyan Amrabat, Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen for minutes.

Fernandes will be given the nod in the number 10 role, though, while Casemiro and Mainoo - fresh from his first call-up to the England Under-21s - will be expected to pair up at the base of the engine room.

Casemiro could be one of a handful of Man United midfielders to bid farewell in the summer, though, as clubs in Saudi Arabia are believed to be lining up approaches for the ex-Real Madrid man.

In addition, Eriksen's contract only runs until 2025, and Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand has admitted that the 32-year-old's lack of minutes is not ideal ahead of Euro 2024.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina loanee Amrabat has struggled to adapt to Premier League football and is not expected to earn a permanent move to Old Trafford, while Donny van de Beek - whose loan at Eintracht Frankfurt has not gone to plan so far - is likely to be sold.

Man United held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw in the Premier League at Anfield earlier this season, and the Red Devils have never lost an FA Cup home game against the eight-time winners.