Milan test sees Lys Mousset step up in class but familiar issues remain for Sheffield United man

Lys Mousset has featured in five of Salernitana's seven league matches since teaming up with the Serie A side in January. However, it's so far been a familiar story for the Sheffield United striker, who has started only two games and not managed more than 60 minutes.

The 26-year-old had struggled with fitness and off-the-field issues at Bramall Lane and had fallen out of favour. After an impressive start to life in a red and white shirt after joining from Bournemouth in 2019, the Frenchman had started just six games in the last two seasons.

He had shown signs of promise under Slavisa Jokanovic, who invested time and energy in trying to get the striker back to the levels of his first season, when he played an integral part in the club's highly impressive top 10 finish. He looked lively in pre-season, albeit against sub-standard opposition, but a hamstring injury on the opening day of the campaign ruled him out for several weeks.

He had a purple patch in October, where three goals in the games against Stoke and Barnsley earned Sheffield United six points, but that brace at Oakwell was the last time he would find the net. Paul Heckingbottom revealed shortly before he departed the club that he had told the striker to lose weight and it was clear his time at United for this season was coming to an end.

He is out of contract at the end of the current campaign, although United do hold the option of triggering a year's extension, and it was hoped he would get his career back on track with his move to Italy. It's been a familiar story in many respects, with him still yet to complete 90 minutes.

However, there is no denying he is enjoying a step up in class. Of his five outings, two of those have been against the Milan sides.