U21 boss provides update on Kobbie Mainoo’s return to first-team action

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Manchester United have been without 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo since July when his breakthrough was cut short against Real Madrid.

Kobbie Mainoo looked set to be a first-team regular after impressing early in pre-season and even started against Arsenal in the States.

However, minutes into a game against Real Madrid, Mainoo was withdrawn after a collision which left him injured.

Now building up fitness, Mainoo has been training for a few weeks and made his on-field return in the UEFA Youth League on Tuesday.

We imagine he continues to build his sharpness up in the youth team before re-joining the first-team where he belongs.

Binnion provides Mainoo update

Speaking on MUTV on Friday morning, Manchester United‘s U21 manager, Travis Binnion explained how he sees Mainoo’s return progressing.

“Yeah, listen. It’s important he gets those minutes. He’ll feel a lot more confident after that.

“I don’t know what’s in store for him in the next few weeks but he’s going to try and keep building up now & hopefully, he can get in and around that first-team squad.”

Mainoo is expected to be cautiously reintegrated into the squad to avoid creating any recurring issues for the midfielder.

What next for Kobbie?

With a return against Manchester City in the derby on Sunday very unlikely and probably unfair to make that his return, Mainoo will need to wait. It seems more youth action is in store for Mainoo for now.

The under-21’s are in action on Friday night against Fulham’s under 21’s who are currently second in the PL 2.

United sit down in 14th and need a win here which would move them as high as 10th potentially.

Mainoo should feature here as another chance to build some fitness and sharpness so he is 100% ready to play first-team football when he gets the call.