Kobbie Mainoo injury: Progress & potential return date for Man Utd teenager

There is never a time when Manchester United do not have an academy graduate who is exciting fans and carving out a role in the first team. Generally, there is more than one at any given moment.

One player that has really benefitted from Erik ten Hag's arrival at Old Trafford has been Kobbie Mainoo, but his attempts to wriggle into the manager's plans have been hampered by an injury sustained in United's pre-season friendly against Real Madrid.

Many wondered if there would be a loan move on the cards for the young midfielder, but Ten Hag has been very willing to give him minutes so he can prove why he should have an important role in the 2023/24 season. Here is what we know so far about Mainoo's injury and when he could be back on the pitch.

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When will Kobbie Mainoo return from injury?

It was a really big night in America for Mainoo considering Ten Hag chose to start him against Real Madrid. Yes, it's a friendly, but a team almost entirely filled with academy players had just faced Wrexham, and the coach chose to start Mainoo against Real Madrid rather than send him to face Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

The 18-year-old was playing alongside Casemiro with Mason Mount further ahead, and he was up against midfielders like Jude Bellingham, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. These are the players that Ten Hag wants to test Mainoo against, but a collision with Rodrygo early on meant that he was forced off with an ankle injury.

Mainoo was seen leaving the stadium after the 2-0 defeat with a protective boot on his right foot and lower leg, and he was also on crutches.

Ten Hag was hesitant when pressed for information immediately after the match, instead focussing on what Mainoo had contributed during his time on the pitch this summer. "I wanted to see what levels he could play," Ten Hag explained. "Against Arsenal, we were pleased with his performance. I wanted to see if he could repeat that."

However, two days after the incident, Manchester United revealed the worrisome extent of Mainoo's injury. The teenage talent will not be involved in the remainder of United's pre-season plans as Ten Hag's side prepare for friendlies against Borussia Dortmund, RC Lens and Athletic Club.

Even more concerningly, the club projected that Mainoo "is expected to be ruled out for the first part of the 2023/24 season". United begin the Premier League season on Monday 14 August at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers before travelling to London for a clash with Tottenham on the following Saturday.

Mainoo's only previous Premier League appearance lasted ten minutes at the end of a 3-0 victory over Leicester City in February.

Man Utd's pre-season so far

Manchester United have been having an incredibly busy pre-season with lots of games to get through. Things began with a 2-0 victory against Leeds United in which Mason Mount got his first minutes in a red shirt. A 1-0 victory against Lyon followed before United headed to America.

There was an impressive 2-0 win over Arsenal to start the US tour, which also included a penalty shootout victory. Things have gone slightly downhill since, as a squad full of academy players, and Jonny Evans, lost 3-1 against Wrexham. The seniors not only lost Mainoo but the match against Real Madrid courtesy of two wonderful goals by Bellingham and Joselu.

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On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette discuss Sofyan Amrabat's suitability to replace McFred in midfield and whether there's any truth in links to Kylian Mbappe. If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!

Come and join us in Las Vegas from July 28th at United Con, the place to be for United fans to come together on their pre-season tour of the US. Visit united-con.com to book your place now.