Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo Out for Several Weeks with Injury
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is set to be sidelined for several weeks due to a muscular injury. The 19-year-old sustained the injury during United’s draw against Aston Villa just before the international break in October, which also forced him to withdraw from the England squad.
Mainoo was absent from training on Thursday, along with defender Harry Maguire, who is also out for several weeks after suffering a calf injury in the same match against Villa.
In related news, fellow midfielder Manuel Ugarte underwent a recovery session on Thursday after being substituted due to an injury while playing for Uruguay in their World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.
On a more positive note, United confirmed that Noussair Mazraoui, Alejandro Garnacho, and Amad have all returned to training. Mazraoui missed Morocco’s recent games after minor surgery to address heart palpitations, Amad was sidelined from Ivory Coast’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to illness, and Garnacho withdrew from Argentina’s squad after sustaining a knee injury.
Manchester United has dealt with numerous injuries this season, with key players like Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, and Leny Yoro all missing before the international break.
Mainoo, who has featured nine times this season, had partnered Christian Eriksen in central midfield against Aston Villa. Erik ten Hag previously opted for a midfield pairing of Casemiro and Eriksen during the draw against Porto when Mainoo was unavailable.
United will return to action against Brentford on Saturday.
Mainoo’s Injury a Major Setback for United
As manager Erik ten Hag faces mounting pressure and the need to improve results, the loss of Kobbie Mainoo is a significant blow. The 19-year-old was replaced before halftime in last month’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, and his absence was felt during the subsequent 3-3 draw with Porto.
Mainoo’s composure in midfield had been evident in United’s clean sheet against Villa just before the break, and there had been hope he might return for the upcoming match against Brentford. However, he will now miss several key fixtures that could be crucial for Ten Hag’s future at the club.
United’s midfield has struggled this season, whether Mainoo was present or not, but his injury leaves Ten Hag with even fewer options to stabilize the team.
(Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
