More competition, Mount has a new challenge for his Manchester United job

For the first time in a long time, Erik ten Hag will consider his selection options for Manchester United's midweek trip to Wolves and be delighted to have just that options. Too often this season, the Dutchman has had big calls made for him with illness and injury decimating his squad.

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Ten Hag has complained about the lack of consistency he's been able to build in team selections and the problems players have had in developing rhythm and partnerships, but to his credit, he is now well aware that he has more choices than perhaps ever before as United manager. “For the first time since I was the manager, we can pick a team from the squad that is probably the strongest,” he said of the trip to Molineux, just after seeing off Newport County 4-2 in the FA Cup fourth round.

That win included starts for Lisandro Martinez (for the first time since September 20), Luke Shaw (December 23) and Casemiro (November 1), while Harry Maguire was back on the bench for the first time since December 12. Marcus Rashford will be back available for selection at Wolves, which leaves just a few players out of contention. Sofyan Amrabat is with Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial are still absent, but Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount are close to a return.

Mount has been back in training and was pictured during work in the Carrington gym towards the end of last week. The £55million midfielder is looking for his first matchday involvement since November. With so many key players returning Ten Hag will need to find a higher level of performances than United have displayed recently, but individually it is Mount that provides the highest level of intrigue. He is 12 games into his United career but this feels like a chance to start again, although the role he was signed to play might no longer be available.

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Ten Hag looks forward to your return

When the former Chelsea man is available for selection again, it will be fascinating to see what Ten Hag does. Having pushed for his signing, he does have a duty to try and make it work, but for now the role he was earmarked to play appears better suited to Mainoo. Mount brings versatility to the squad. He can fill in for Fernandes and play in wide areas, but he was signed to play in central midfield. When he is back in a matchday squad, he might have to do that from the bench for now, with some unexpected competition in his way after Mainoo's breakthrough year.