Manchester United have confirmed they expect to be without key midfielder Kobbie Mainoo for the next few games due to an ongoing injury concern.
Mainoo was withdrawn five minutes from time in United’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa before the international break. He was then withdrawn from the England squad for the games against Greece and Finland as a “precaution”, but it has now been revealed that his problem is more serious.
The 19-year-old had also been forced off through injury in the first half of the 3-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last month, to avoid the subsequent clash with Porto.
Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brentford, United have confirmed Mainoo will be out for “a few weeks” with a muscle injury. A more precise deadline has not been given. Center back Harry Maguire is in a similar boat after also picking up a muscle injury against Villa.
Mainoo has started every Premier League game for United so far this season, underlining his importance to the team following his breakthrough last November and meteoric rise.
Between now and the November international break in four weeks’ time, Erik ten Hag’s side have seven games in three competitions. From Brentford this weekend, attention turns to the Europa League with a long return trip to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce. Then it’s West Ham United at the London Stadium on October 27, followed by Leicester City in the Carabao Cup three days later.
Chelsea visit Old Trafford on November 3, with Greek side PAOK on November 7 and Leicester, this time in the Premier League, three days later.
Ten Hag must look for other midfield options in the short term, with Christian Eriksen likely to partner Casemiro against Brentford. Manuel Ugarte has been sidelined since a difficult debut for United against Tottenham, and took part in just one recovery session in training on Thursday. Mason Mount also remains unavailable following the head injury he suffered against Spurs.
In a major positive, right-back Noussair Mazraoui trained on Thursday, having recently undergone a minor heart procedure after suffering palpitations during Aston Villa’s draw.
