Kobbie Mainoo is set for more minutes tomorrow – but not with the Man United first-team.
Kobbie Mainoo is on the mend after his pre-season injury. The Stockport-born midfielder has been back in the senior matchday squad on a couple of occasions – though he’s yet to step back out on the field.
There is much hype surrounding the talented teenager. Rightly so. He looks like the real deal. It was always going to take time to get the man ready to play senior football, particularly as he’s yet to be exposed to regular matches at that level.
Concerns were raised when Mainoo was not training with the senior squad on Tuesday afternoon. Many assumed he could’ve picked up another injury, which obviously would have been less than ideal.
The Manchester Evening News have quickly allayed those fears. They state that Mainoo was instead training with the U19s, with the United starlet continuing his injury recovery as he ‘will play’ in the UEFA Youth Champions League on Wednesday afternoon. Understandably, Mainoo will be eased back into action.
Although it won’t be long before Mainoo gets his first-team chance, I cannot help but feel like this is the sensible approach. At the end of the day, you don’t want to thrust Mainoo into action too quickly, particularly while he’s still on the mend.
The hype around him is real, but it could quickly die if he’s forced into becoming a game-changer when he’s not quite ready.
Put it this way. I’d much prefer to see Mainoo play for the U19s and continue to build up the fitness rather than sitting on the bench for the senior side and not playing at all.
Do you think Kobbie Mainoo can make a genuine impact for Man United this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
