Despite playing three times for the first team last year, Kobbie Mainoo was not a regular in competitive squads. However, Erik ten Hag’s use of the teenager in preseason implies that when he returns from injury, he will become a regular in competitive squads for the first time.
Kobbie Mainoo, a youthful athlete, frequently made Leigh Sports Village’s chilly winter nights enjoyable during the previous season.
It was nice to watch Manchester United’s academy players at Leigh and watch Mainoo improve. He played a key role in the 2021/22 FA Youth Cup victory and seamlessly transitioned to the Premier League 2.
It was always expected that Mainoo would be the standout preseason performer after his efforts in the academy earned him a first-team debut against Charlton in the League Cup and his Premier League debut a few weeks later.
It’s an incredible sensation. After making his debut in January, Mainoo said, “I’ve been at this club my entire life, and it’s all led to tonight. “It’s absolutely incredible to having my family here, watching me and around me. My entire immediate family was present.
“I believe that bringing anyone else would be excessive! I waved to them after the game while they were all present and cheering for me. It was a bit of a shock when the team sheet went up and I had to start, but I reminded myself that I had a job to complete.
Although there were some butterflies, they were mostly caused by enthusiasm. I recall that feeling from the Youth Cup final I played in at Old Trafford. To have it again was fantastic because it was amazing.
Few people are aware that Mainoo, who has been characterized as a nice, hard-working, and polite young man, traveled to Staffordshire less than 24 hours after making his first-team debut to cheer on his Under-18 teammates against Stoke.
Speaking with people close to the player, you get the idea that Mainoo not only has the talent needed to succeed, but also the necessary mentality. The next morning, he was back in Manchester for first-team practice.
It was not surprising to see Erik ten Hag start the midfielder in every significant preseason friendly in the summer given that he was only absent from Premier League matchday teams at the end of the previous campaign due to a minor injury.
It was further evidenced by the fact that Mainoo started matches against Leeds, Lyon, Arsenal, and Real Madrid and that he was not included in the young, academy team that traveled to San Diego to play Wrexham.
The MEN reported that Mainoo had been informed he would not be departing on loan and that he would have a first-team role in the upcoming season, which was reflected by his starts in the United States.
Can Mainoo do well against top-notch competition across the Atlantic after good displays against Leeds and Lyon in Europe? He most definitely did, and he seized the chances with both hands.
Against Arsenal, Mainoo played with grace and composure and competed with Declan Rice, Martin Degaard, and Kai Havertz. Next, Real Madrid would be faced with the strongest team available, and Mainoo’s start felt important.
There was no hiding place for the 18-year-old because he started in midfield alongside Casemiro and Mason Mount, who were up against Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham, and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Prior to kickoff, a photo of Mainoo and the former Borussia Dortmund player was playfully published on social media with the description, “England’s best midfielder and Bellingham,” which naturally gained traction.
Sadly, a collision with Casemiro just a few minutes into the game ended Mainoo’s fairytale start. The academy graduate was removed with the assistance of medical personnel since he appeared reluctant to put weight on his ankle.
Later it was revealed that Mainoo would miss “the first part” of the season. He was performing brilliantly, but in football, that is the way it is, and you have to live with it. Ten Hag said of him, “I’m convinced he’ll be back since he’s so resilient.
Since then, Mainoo has been AWOL, but his current social media activity indicates that he will soon return to fitness. His return to the group will be thrilling, and it will be fascinating to see if he can have an impact on the first team.
In a recent news conference, Ten Hag brought up Mainoo on his own, saying: “I know he’s not there right now, but Kobbie Mainoo, we have seen him against Arsenal [in pre-season], he is ready to also pick that role [No. 6].” He isn’t available right now, but he will unquestionably play in the upcoming winter.
