admin Kobbie Mainoo was not part of the first-team furniture last season despite featuring three times but Erik ten Hag’s usage of the teenager in pre-season suggests he will be a be a regular in competitive squads for the first time when he returns from injury.
The cold winter nights at Leigh Sports Village were often enjoyed by youngster Kobbie Mainoo last season.
The Manchester United academy’s play as Leigh and Mainoo develop is worth watching. He played a key role in the 2021/22 FA Youth Cup win and he has made a perfect transition to playing in Premier League 2.
Mainoo’s performances at the academy have been rewarded by making his first team debut against Charlton in the League Cup and making his Premier League debut a few weeks later, so it always seemed unlikely that he would become the star of pre-season avoid.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. I’ve been at this club all my life and it’s all led to tonight,” said Mainoo after his debut in January. “To have my family here watching me, surrounding me, it’s just amazing. All my immediate family were here.
“I think bringing anyone else would be too much! They were all here, supporting me, and I waved to them after the game. The team sheet was put up and I was starting, so it was a bit of a shock but I thought, I’ve got to do a job.
“There were a few butterflies but it was more just excitement. I played at Old Trafford in the Youth Cup final and I remember that feeling. It was amazing and to have it again was brilliant.”
Sources have described Mainoo as a friendly, hard-working and polite young player and what some don’t know is that he was in Staffordshire cheering on his U18 team-mates against Stoke less than 24 hours after debut for the first team.
Mainoo returned to Manchester the following morning to train with the first team and, speaking to those close to the player, you get the impression that he not only has the talent but also the mentality to succeed.
The midfielder was only absent from the Premier League squad at the end of last season due to a minor injury and it was no surprise to see Erik ten Hag starting alongside him in all the key pre-summer friendlies .
Mainoo started against Leeds, Lyon, Arsenal and Real Madrid and he was not part of the academy youth team that played Wrexham in San Diego, further confirming that he is considered part of the first team.
Ahead of the pre-season tour of the US, MEN revealed Mainoo had been informed that he would not leave on loan and would play in the first team in the new season, this was reflected in his first team performance he started USAThe question is – after impressive performances against Leeds and Lyon in Europe – can Mainoo cross the Atlantic against high-quality opposition? He certainly did and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Mainoo played smoothly and calmly against Arsenal and drew against Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz. The best team available has been chosen to face Real Madrid next and Mainoo’s departure looks crucial.
The 18-year-old started alongside Casemiro and Mason Mount in midfield, up against Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouameni so there was clearly no hiding place for the youngster.The caption “England and Bellingham’s best midfielder” above a photo of Mainoo and the former Borussia Dortmund star was jokingly shared on social media before kick-off, which was nothing to behold. surprised to have a place.
Unfortunately, Mainoo’s dream start was interrupted just a few minutes after the collision with Casemiro. The academy graduate appeared reluctant to put weight on his ankle and it was removed with the assistance of medical staff.
It was later confirmed that Mainoo would be out for ‘the first part’ of the season. “He was doing brilliant, but that happens in football and you have to deal with it. I’m sure he’ll be back because he’s so resilient,” Ten Hag said about him.
Mainoo has been absent since, but his recent social media activity suggests his return to fitness is imminent. It will be exciting to see him return to the fold and fascinating to see whether he can make an impact in the first-team.
Ten Hag recently voluntarily brought up Mainoo in a press conference and said: “I know, at this moment, he’s not there, but Kobbie Mainoo, we have seen him against Arsenal [in pre-season], he is ready to also pick that role [No.6]. At this moment, he’s not available but for the winter [that] is coming up, he absolutely will have his games.”
