Mason Mount returns to Chelsea tonight for the first time since leaving

Prior to the FA Cup win over Liverpool, Mail Sport put it to Erik ten Hag: did he still have belief Mason Mount could be a key figure this season?

'I'm convinced he will be [a key player],' he said. 'He didn't have the chance to prove this point. But he will be a very good player for Manchester United.'

'Class' was one word Ten Hag used, and ahead of the midfielder's return to Chelsea on Thursday Ten Hag called him a 'fantastic football player'.

And so he isn't short of endorsements and positive affirmations heading back to the club where his football journey started this week.

That will bring its own anxiety - the reception he will get may not be as kind as he hopes - but first and foremost he will see it as a chance to turn a miserable season around.

His 96th-minute goal at Brentford over Easter looked to be his breakout moment in a United shirt. His first goal for the club and the goal to see United snatch a smash-and-grab three points in west London. Only United conceded soon after and Mount's goal was a mere footnote during the post-match inquest.

One thing United sources have indicated is that when it comes to Mount the belief is that form is temporary and class is permanent.

Ten Hag has been enamoured with Mount since seeing him while on loan at Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands.

Ten Hag and his staff would go on to track him during the 2017-18 campaign and the monitoring never really ceased on a player the Dutch coach found himself eager to work with.

Fast forward to May 2023 and it was Ten Hag and John Murtough sat around a table with Mount to sell him on how they envisioned his role in United's plans. He would be a central and important piece, was the word.

It is understood that internally at United there was a 'now or