Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is set to be sidelined for “a few weeks” with a muscular injury.
The 19-year-old midfielder sustained the issue in United’s draw against Aston Villa before October’s international break and subsequently withdrew from the England squad because of the issue.
He missed training on Thursday alongside defender Harry Maguire, who is also sidelined for a number of weeks with a calf injury sustained against Villa.
Fellow midfielder Manuel Ugarte underwent a recovery session on Thursday after being forced off with injury during Uruguay’s World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on Tuesday.
United did confirm, however, that Noussair Mazraoui, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad have all returned to training after being unavailable during October’s international break.
Mazraoui was absent from the Morocco squad after he underwent minor surgery having experienced heart palpitations. Amad missed the Ivory Coast’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to illness, while Garnacho withdrew from the Argentina squad due to a knee injury.
United have contended with a number of injury problems this season, with Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Leny Yoro all absent before the international break.
Mainoo has featured nine times in all competitions this season. He had partnered Christian Eriksen in central midfield against Villa, while Erik ten Hag had opted for a central midfield pairing of Casemiro and Eriksen in the draw at Porto three days earlier in Mainoo’s absence.
United return to action against Brentford on Saturday.
Mainoo injury bitter blow to United midfield
At a time when Erik ten Hag is under intense scrutiny and in need of results to turn Manchester United’s fortunes around, the absence of Kobbie Mainoo will come as a bitter blow.
The 19-year-old was replaced towards the end of the first half in last month’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, with United conceding twice in that 3-0 defeat once he departed.
The composure Mainoo brings to midfield was dearly missed during the collapse to a 3-3 draw in Porto a few days later, although his return helped keep a clean sheet at Villa Park before the international break.
There was hope Mainoo might be able to return in time for Saturday’s meeting with Brentford, with United describing his withdrawal from the England squad as a “precaution”, but he is now set to miss a set of fixtures that could decide Ten Hag’s fate as manager.
United have often looked porous in the middle of the park since the start of the campaign — whether Mainoo has played or not, in fairness — but Ten Hag now has one less option to help plug those gaps.
(Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
