The preseason injury to Kobbie Mainoo dashed any immediate prospects of a breakthrough performance from another young player at Manchester United this year.
Nevertheless, Erik ten Hag provided an update on his injury during the portion of the news conference before the match against Tottenham Hotspur.
During the opening five minutes of the pre-season match against Real Madrid, Mainoo hobbled off, and Ten Hag later confirmed the severity of his injuries.
He has now given an update, saying that Mainoo is making a good recovery from his injuries and could be available in not one month, but two.
The academy graduate could thus make a comeback when the second international break of the current campaign concludes before the end of October.
The midfielder’s manager was gushing in his comments. He trusted him to partner with Casemiro in the important midfield position once he returned.
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With performances that belied his age in the preseason, Mainoo had already gained the respect of his boss and colleagues before his unfortunate injury.
If he had not been hurt, he might have had a chance to start the Premier League opener. After the Wolves game, Casemiro’s play has come under scrutiny.
The Brazilian was left on an island as the midfield emptied as a result of Ten Hag’s unsuccessful attempts to construct a box midfield.
United’s efforts to sign another defensively-minded No. 6 midfielder have so far been ineffective due to the deadlock in the Sofyan Amrabat negotiations.
After recovering from his injury, Mainoo might be in line for a significant role this year, giving United another academy product like Alejandro Garnacho last year.
