After an injury layoff, Kobbie Mainoo is expected to return to Manchester United this week. Kobbie Mainoo, an exciting prospect for Manchester United, was spotted returning to first team practice last week.
There was some hope he might make the bench at the weekend, but manager Erik ten hag has suggested he was simply saving him.
The 18-year-old midfielder is working his way back from a knee injury suffer in pre_ season against Real Madrid.
Erik ten Hag update on Kobbie Mainoo
Erik ten Hag spoke to club media over the weekend and suggested he was saving Kobbie Mainoo for game time later this week.
Ten Hag said: “He is close. He is already training with us. Not today but I think, next week, he will have some minutes in the team.
“So then he can catch up his game minutes. So he is really improving and ready to get back in the squad for games.”
Reason to be excited
The magnitude of the matches this week is huge, and it would be significant for Kobbie Mainoo if he was able to play a part.
Manchester United have a must-win game in the Champions League at home to FC Copenhagen.
The match would be Mainoo’s Champions League debut if he were to make an appearance.
The ideal scenario would be if United were able to move into a comfortable lead and bring Mainoo off the bench for the final 15 minutes.
For United’s first home game after sir bobby charlton’s , it would be momentous to see an academy midfielder make his debut in Europe’s elite competition.
Next up is the Manchester derby next Sunday. It would be an incredible show of trust from Erik ten Hag to pick Mainoo in this game, as a starter or substitute.
Everything we have seen from the teenager so far suggests he would be able to handle it.
Ten Hag’s comments suggest the young midfielder will be involved this week in some capacity, and we look forward to his 2023/24 season finally getting up and running.
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