Mount refuses to leave Manchester United, willing to accept £250,000 weekly wage as a substitute! Returns alongside Lisandro to assist against Villa.

Manchester United's next fixture is set for next Sunday, a home game against Aston Villa, a rival in the Premier League's battle for third place. Two long-absent players will make their comeback: defender Lisandro Martinez and midfielder Mason Mount have now returned to regular training.

After the loss to Newcastle United, Carrick arranged for the players to return to Carrington training ground to review lessons. Lisandro and Mount participated in training, but long-term injured players De Ligt and Patrick Doku have not yet returned. De Ligt has been absent for nearly 90 days due to a back injury, with his return date still unclear. Doku is expected to return for the Leeds United match in early April and will miss the Villa game.

The 27-year-old Mount suffered an injury before the 3-2 victory over Fulham on February 1. Carrick has stated in every subsequent match that he is nearing a return, which may now finally happen. According to "Football Insider," Mount has decided to reject a transfer this summer and stay at Manchester United to continue his development; his stance on leaving is very clear.

Manchester United is expected to undergo a major midfield overhaul this summer. Casemiro has confirmed he will leave when his contract expires at the end of this season, and Manuel Ugarte's future is also uncertain. Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, and Sandro Tonali are all rumored to potentially join this summer. There are reports that Sir Jim Ratcliffe hopes to sell Mount to raise funds, as since his £60 million transfer from Chelsea three seasons ago, his performances have been poor and injuries frequent.

Since joining the club in 2023, Mount has scored only 7 goals in 66 appearances, primarily due to multiple injury setbacks and difficulty securing consistent playing time at Manchester United. Reports suggest Fulham and Villa are interested in signing the English star this summer, with Fulham even willing to pay £30 million.

However, British media reveal that Mount does not intend to leave Manchester United. It is understood that Mount still believes he has sufficient opportunities to prove himself at Old Trafford. Moreover, with the club highly likely to return to the Champions League next season, he will have more chances to showcase his abilities and make an impact.

According to analysis by "PolymarketSport," Manchester United remains the favorite to finish third in the Premier League this season, with a 36% probability of maintaining their current position. Liverpool, the second favorite, has only a 19% chance, while Villa, currently tied with United, stands at just 13%. However, United's likelihood of overtaking Manchester City ahead is also low, with Pep Guardiola's team having only a 9% chance of dropping to third.

Mount has not played since the Manchester derby in January. He is focused on recovery to contribute for Manchester United in the final stages of the season and prove he can stay. If United secures Champions League qualification, Mount's weekly wage will rise again to £250,000, which is a key reason Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to sell him. In contrast, Fulham's highest-paid player, goalkeeper Leno, earns only £130,000 per week.

From a capability perspective, Mount is fully qualified to stay as a substitute. However, a substitute earning £250,000 per week would only create instability for the club. Captain Bruno Fernandes' £300,000 weekly top wage is earned through hard work and contribution. Mount's injury record, appearances, and performance level do not justify his current high salary. If he stays, other teammates performing better would naturally demand raises based on his earnings, undermining Sir Jim Ratcliffe's control over the wage structure.

Mount indeed possesses teamwork qualities that other Manchester United players lack. However, his appearances per season are too few; even if he plays all remaining 9 matches this season, it would total only 28 games. Counting starts, the number is even lower. While forcing a player to leave is not ideal, Manchester United must make choices most beneficial for itself.