Ruben Amorim: Manchester United have to be careful with Kobbie Mainoo

Ruben Amorim says Manchester United have to be careful with Kobbie Mainoo’s fitness after the developing teenager returned to the squad for the first time in two months.

The homegrown 19-year-old has been absent since picking up a muscular issue in training in the days after his most recent appearance against Leicester in the FA Cup on February 7.

Mainoo trained with his United team-mates on the eve of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg at Lyon, with the midfielder named in the 23-man squad that travelled to France later that day.

“In this moment we have to be careful with Kobbie,” head coach Amorim said. “He had some games out, so we have to be careful with his fitness.

“We are really happy to have more options and an option like Kobbie Mainoo, with the quality that he has.

“He can play in different positions. He has already played as a six, as an eight, as a 10, so we are really pleased to have Kobbie Mainoo but we have to be careful. We need Kobbie Mainoo fit and fresh.”

Mainoo has made 25 appearances for United this season and Amorim, who succeeded Erik ten Hag in November, believes the England international has more to offer.

Asked if he could start as a central midfielder for his side, the Portuguese said: “Yeah, he can play. I think in England sometimes they play with three defenders also. It was more or less the same position, so he can play.