Manchester United will take caution to ensure Mason Mount doesn’t suffer an injury setback as the midfielder returns to Stamford Bridge on Thursday night for the first time since his £60million summer move from Chelsea.

Mount has come off the bench in the last two games after a four-month lay-off with a calf injury, and scored his first goal for United in the 1-1 draw at Brentford on Saturday night.

The 25-year-old has made just 14 appearances in a disappointing first season at Old Trafford, adding to the injury problems that have plagued manager Erik ten Hag throughout.

After seeing Lisandro Martinez ruled out for another month with his third injury of the season, Ten Hag is determined to make sure Mount doesn’t have a setback of his own as he prepares to face his old club.

‘He’s a fantastic football player,’ said Ten Hag. ‘It’s important first that he’s getting and keeping fit. You see it now with Licha, you want to avoid that.

‘So you have to do it very carefully. We want to use him so he can have benefit and have a contribution to the team, as he did on Saturday.’

United face a Chelsea side currently languishing 12th in the Premier League table ahead of Wednesday night’s round of fixtures, but Ten Hag isn’t being fooled by the standings.

‘It’s a tough competition and very tight,’ he added. ‘It’s about which players are available. When you are on the right side of the line you can have a successful season, but on the wrong side you can have a more difficult season.

‘Chelsea have fantastic players and play very good football.’