Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has insisted that Mason Mount will prove to be an important player for the club despite his early troubles at Old Trafford.

The 24-year-old moved to the Red Devils from Chelsea over the summer, with the 20-time English champions believed to have paid an initial £55m to secure his services.

Mount has found it difficult to make his mark this term, though, only managing one assist in seven appearances for his new side, and he was an unused substitute against Copenhagen in the Champions League last week.

Ten Hag has said that he has 'no concerns' when it comes to picking the England international and has backed him to prove himself for Man United as the season develops.

"I think in every game, our game would benefit from Mason Mount. I don't have any concern to line him up. He did come on in a lot of games, he started in a lot of games," Ten Hag told reporters.

"In the last game [against FC Copenhagen] he didn't [play], but definitely he is one we consider for Sunday because as you say, he has abilities to be very helpful against [Manchester] City."

Mount, who has spent time out with a muscular injury, started against Brentford in the league before the international break, but he only played the final two minutes of the clash with Sheffield United last weekend.

Ten Hag also defended Bruno Fernandes after being asked whether the Portugal international finds it difficult to make his mark against the so-called bigger teams in the Premier League.

"Last year he scored (against Man City), so I don't know. As long as he does that again, I am happy," he said.

"Bruno [Fernandes] is one of those players that when we have a lot of the ball he is at his best. There are games against top teams when we have less of the ball, so maybe then there are less moments.

"Then it is about taking benefit from such moments and then for this, you have to work hard for the team and to get a result because that is the most important thing, that the team is winning."

Fernandes is expected to be in the Man United XI against Man City in the Manchester derby, but there are question marks surrounding Casemiro, who has been carrying an injury which he suffered on international duty.

Ten Hag admitted that the Brazilian was a major doubt for the contest when questioned on his fitness on Friday.

Christian Eriksen is in contention to start, though, following his impressive performance off the bench against Copenhagen last time out. body check tags ::