Manchester United have confirmed the injury situation and recovery timeline of promising English youngster Kobbie Mainoo.
After few minutes of action against Real Madrid, a strong challenge by Casemiro on Rodrygo saw the Brazilian fell on the leg of Mainoo.
The 18-year-old had to be helped off the pitch as he limped off. He was then driven off the stadium via a golf cart with Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen coming on in his place.
It was a big blow to the young exciting talent, who was making inroads to cement his place in Erik Ten Hag’s squad.
Kobbie Mainoo started all Manchester United preseason friendlies and was tipped for a career breakthrough under Erik Ten Hag.
Against Real Madrid, Ten Hag had no scruples fielding the English youngster instead of Christian Eriksen despite facing a top tier opposition.
Mainoo made a good midfield pairing with veterans – Casemiro and Mason Mount, before the injury blow.
Erik Ten Hag wanted to continue with the youngster before it was confirmed he couldn’t continue with the game.
While there were hopes of his quick recovery, a grim footage of Mainoo on crutches in the tunnel spurned doubts of his imminent recovery.
He did not have his shoes on his left leg and was armed with crutches before being carted away for immediate medical attention.
Addressing the injury in his post-match press conference, Erik Ten Hag said he did not have enough information from medical department on Mainoo’s situation and will have to wait for further prompts.
Now, a club statement released by Manchester United has confirmed Kobbie Mainoo will be ruled out throughout the first half of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
The report confirms Mainoo was immediately flown home to UK from the US for prompt medical attention.
The recovery timeline as revealed by Manchester United means Mainoo will face not less than 4-5 months on the sidelines and will likely recover between December 2023 or January 2024.
After the injury, Kobbie Mainoo took to his social media handle to thank his fans for the support and well wishers as he hopes to recover soon and return to the field.
He wrote, “I will be back stronger and in no time. Thanks of your messages of support.”
Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Garnacho, Fred, Antony, Lisandro Martinez, and his other Man United teammates rolled in tributes for the player, wishing him a speedy recovery.
Mainoo started Manchester United preseason friendly against Leeds United, Wrexham, Arsenal, and Real Madrid.
Prior to Man United’s preseason campaign, Kobbie Mainoo had made his senior club debut for Manchester United under Erik Ten Hag in January 2023 against Carlisle United in EFL Cup.
He was first called up for Man United first team in October, 2022 and made Man United bench in the Premier League clash against Newcastle United. He subsequently walk his way to make his first Premier League appearance for Manchester United in February 2023, coming on from the bench against Leicester City.
With his impressive preseason campaign, the English youngster was expected to cement his place in Erik Ten Hag’s squad in no distant time.
Mainoo will hope to recover speedily and push through his promising career at Old Trafford.
