Manchester United must accept uncomfortable truth as Kobbie Mainoo nears return

Kobbie Mainoo looks set to be the next big thing to emerge from Manchester United's famed academy. Erik ten Hag was keen to afford the youngster experience by naming him in matchday squads last term and there's an expectation he will be a regular in the first-team set-up for years to come.

While Ten Hag his renowned for his willingness to give youth a chance, he's also not one to hand out opportunities for the sake of it. A whole host of youngsters have left the club this summer, with Zidane Iqbal, Ethan Laird and Charlie Savage among those to have headed for the exit door.

Throughout Ten Hag’s first season in charge at Old Trafford, Mainoo trained with the senior side, playing just 17 times for the Under 23s.

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There’s no doubt that Mainoo is far too good for academy football, and he's clearly made an impact on the club's senior players. United captain Bruno Fernandes recently commented on one of Mainoo's social media posts: “Nice pictures and fashion but on the pitch when can I see you?” It's clear he's a popular figure.

In the 2022/23 season, Mainoo made three appearances for the first team, and given United's current midfield troubles there's naturally a lot of expectation surrounding his return to the squad. But fans must be patient. Mainoo is ready to be a regular in the senior squad, but he isn’t the answer to all of Ten Hag’s midfield problems.

Mainoo has all of the talent needed to be a top player, but when a club is going through a rough patch like United are right now, experience is invaluable. Throwing Mainoo in at the deep end when frustration is high and things aren't going right could do