Manchester United have confirmed that highly-rated midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will miss the 'first part' of the 2023/24 season with an ankle injury, with reports suggesting he could be sidelines for two months.
Mainoo, who has been one of United's standout performers in pre-season, was handed his fourth start in the past month on July 27 in their clash against Real Madrid.
But in the opening stages at the NRG Stadium in Texas, the 18-year-old was escorted off the field after Brazilian forward Rodrygo landed on his leg following a tackle from Casemiro.
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Many had tipped the Stockport-born midfielder to break into Erik ten Hag's first-team squad ahead of their Premier League opener against Wolves, but he will have to bide his time following an update from the club.
In a statement on their official website, Manchester United provided the following update on Mainoo's injury.
They wrote: "Manchester United can confirm that Kobbie Mainoo suffered an ankle injury during the match against Real Madrid on Tour 2023. The midfielder is expected to be ruled out for the first part of the 2023/24 season.
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"He has flown home from Tour to the UK where further assessment of his injury will take place before a medical decision on the next steps."
United added: "Everyone at the club wishes Kobbie a speedy recovery."
Following the update, Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst echoed the news that Mainoo will be out for the 'first part' of the upcoming campaign with an ankle but the suggestion is that he could be sidelined for two months.
Mainoo, meanwhile, posted an update via his Instagram account. "I’ll be back stronger and in no time," he wrote. "Thanks for your messages of support."
Here's how social media reacted to the Mainoo injury news.
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One fan said: "Absolutely devastated for the lad. A freak injury of a player falling and his full weight dropping on his ankle. This is just a delay because this season is Mainoo’s breakthrough season but we will miss not having him there. Come back stronger Kobbie lad."
A second wrote: "Really gutted about the Mainoo injury, but at least he got to prove himself to ten Hag in a handful of games. Ten Hag showed clear trust in him, he’s clearly in his plans. Big season for him coming up and I can’t wait for him to return."
A third commented: "Very disappointing. But on the other hand, it shows that Mainoo was really in ETH's plans for this season, which I find very positive. One of the biggest Man United academy talents in the last decade. Speedy recovery, Kobbie. Your time will come."
A fourth added: "Two months out, Mainoo didn’t deserve this whatsoever. Come back stronger kid."
After Mainoo was replaced by Christian Eriksen on Thursday, former United striker Andy Cole admitted he was upset about the youngster losing his opportunity to impress against some of the world's best.
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"I'm devastated for him," he told MUTV. "You know why I'm devastated? It was an opportunity for a young man to show his skills against someone like Luka Modric and, when he came off, you could see how bitterly disappointed he was because how many opportunities do you get to play against someone like Modric in midfield?
"I'm devastated for the young lad but he's going to have plenty more fights to fight. Unfortunately, tonight wasn't his night."
Mainoo, however, has impressed many in pre-season, including former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson,
“I was really impressed with him,” he said on MUTV’s The Debate show. “I haven’t seen too much of him but I was really impressed with him against a team like Arsenal – he’s not a kid that comes into the team as a central midfield player and just goes chasing about, trying to impress the manager and all that.
Robson added: “He’s calculated and he’s reading the game, doing things in his own time. He closes down really well, receives the ball and changes the pattern of the game, quickens it up when he wants to and he’s using his football brain and I’m quite impressed with him on first impressions.”
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Thoughts on Mainoo's pre-season? Do you think he should play a part for United this season?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Premier League, Real Madrid, Fan Reactions
