Manchester United have been dealt a blow as it emerged that exciting talent Kobbie Mainoo will miss the first part of the upcoming campaign after suffering an injury in their preseason tour.
Mainoo appeared three times for the Red Devils last season, including making his Premier League debut against Leicester. Taken on the tour of the USA however, he had begun to catch the eye with performances against Leeds United and Arsenal, and there was hope that the 18-year-old could make an impact on the first team this season.
However, following a tackle from Real Madrid’s Rodyrgo in a game that the Red Devils lost 2-0, Mainoo was forced off through injury, and the latest news suggests that he could well be out for a while.
“Manchester United can confirm that Kobbie Mainoo suffered an ankle injury during the match against Real Madrid on Tour 2023″, they wrote on their official site.
“The midfielder is expected to be ruled out for the first part of the 2023/24 season.
He has flown home from Tour to the UK where further assessment of his injury will take place before a medical decision on the next steps.”
The injury is likely to further push the need to sign another midfielder this summer in order to provide Ten Hag with options in the centre of the park.
As things stand, both Donny Van de Beek and Fred are expected to depart, leaving just Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay and Mason Mount for the Dutchman to call upon.
They have been strongly linked with Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who is thought to be free to leave Fiorentina for around 30m euros this summer (£26m) and could yet make the switch to Old Trafford ahead of the new season.
