Manchester United will receive a two-player boost after the transfer window shuts

Although football managers should expect pelters from supporters when describing a player returning from injury as 'like a new signing', Erik ten Hag might consider that cliché to be true in a few months' time at Manchester United.

Thankfully, there have been no major injuries sustained by key first-team players in pre-season so far this summer, but promising youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Amad have both suffered knocks that have them sidelined.

It's understood Mainoo was informed he would play a role in the first-team squad in the new season instead of being sent on loan, so watching him hobble off the pitch after starting against Real Madrid was gutwrenching for his family.

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With the exception of the Under-21s' clash against Wrexham, Mainoo started in every pre-season game until his injury and although he impressed against Leeds, Lyon and Arsenal, starting against Real Madrid felt significant.

Erik ten Hag picked his strongest line-up for that match in Houston and Mainoo started alongside Casemiro and Mason Mount in midfield, who were up against Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni.

The caption of 'England's best midfielder and Bellingham' above a picture of Mainoo and the former Borussia Dortmund star was even jokingly shared on social media ahead of kick-off, which unsurprisingly gained traction.

Mainoo had already looked at ease pitted against Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz in New Jersey, but playing Madrid was a further opportunity for him to test himself against bona fide Champions League quality players.

That chance was unfortunately cut short after just a few minutes following a collision with Casemiro. The medical staff