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A fresh and worrying update on Mason Mount’s fitness has emerged as Manchester United get ready to take on Leeds United at Croke Park on Wednesday.

Mount has had an encouraging pre-season and produced a series of strong displays in midfield, which is why there was immediate concern when he pulled up with a problem and had to be taken off after only 19 minutes in Saturday’s match against Paris Saint-Germain.

The England international was replaced by Tyler Fletcher. Mount was then seen speaking with members of United’s medical team before heading down the tunnel, a scene that supporters have unfortunately become used to seeing.

After the final whistle, video of the player getting onto the team coach and walking comfortably offered real encouragement about his condition.

Michael Carrick later addressed the media and said that Mount had taken a kick, with the substitution made purely as a precaution.

Carrick added, “We want to keep the group strong and we’ve been fortunate to get everyone to this stage fit and well, so we wanted to be careful with that.”

However, ESPN have now issued a worrying update that is likely to concern supporters once again, with just over a week left before the Premier League season begins.

Rob Dawson writes, “Mason Mount is a doubt for Manchester United’s preseason friendly against Leeds United in Dublin on Wednesday as he continues his recovery from a foot injury, sources have told ESPN.”

“He was replaced as a precaution and was seen leaving the stadium unaided. However, the 27-year-old was unable to take part in sessions on Monday or Tuesday and is unlikely to play any part in United’s friendly against Premier League rivals Leeds at Croke Park on Wednesday.”

Mount’s absence from training will naturally set alarm bells ringing. Attention will now turn to Carrick and what he says either in the lead-up to the Leeds game or after it.

In any case, it appears clear that United cannot depend on Mount to remain fit and must step up their efforts to bring in at least one more midfielder.

The Red Devils have already completed the signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively.