Kobbie Mainoo might soon have a new Manchester United opportunity

Whether Kobbie Mainoo would have begun the campaign in the starting XI is a question that will never be known but going by Erik ten Hag’s selections, he would have had a chance.

After being given the nod in previous friendlies, the 18-year-old was chosen ahead of Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen to start against Real Madrid on the tour of the US. It was a night to remember for the teenager, but for the wrong reasons.

His game ended after two minutes when he was helped off the NRG Stadium pitch, unable to put weight on his ankle following a freak collision which saw Rodrygo fall onto his leg from a separate challenge.

Mainoo was not expecting this to be his second biggest challenge in senior football. His first came back in January when he made his Manchester United debut from the start in the League Cup quarter-final clash with Charlton.

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He lasted an hour after giving Erik ten Hag no reason to take him off but for tiredness amid a scintillating shift. Mainoo was later rewarded with a Premier League debut against Leicester and an FA Cup bow against Reading.

The midfielder suffered a small injury towards the end of the campaign which prevented him from getting more minutes but he was fit in time for pre-season. He has been unable to take part in the first part of the regular campaign due to his ankle frustration.

If Mainoo had been included, he would have been used centrally, although he made his first two senior appearances as an attacking midfielder. He played the position nine times in the academy and walked away with three goals and an assist to his name, so he can do a job there.

With Sofyan Amrabat arriving on deadline day, Mainoo has more