Manchester United has confirmed that promising midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will miss a significant portion of the 2023/24 season due to an ankle injury.
Reports indicate that he could be sidelined for approximately two months.
Mainoo has been in exceptional form during pre-season and has caught the attention as one of United’s standout performers.
He earned his fourth start in a month on July 27th in a match against Real Madrid at NRG Stadium in Texas.
Unfortunately, during the early stages of the game, the 18-year-old had to leave the field after sustaining an injury.
Brazilian forward Rodrygo accidentally landed on his leg following a tackle from Casemiro.
Many had high hopes that the Stockport-born midfielder would break into Erik ten Hag’s first-team squad ahead of United’s Premier League opener against Wolves.
However, due to the injury update from the club, he will now have to wait for an opportunity to showcase his talent on the field.
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.
“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 journalistSamuel Luckhurstechoed 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.
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.
“I’m devastated for him,” he toldMUTV. “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 onMUTV’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.
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. https://t.co/zVJHWFUpie
— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) July 29, 2023
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.”
Thoughts on Mainoo’s pre-season? Do you think he should play a part for United this season?
Let us know in the comments.