Manchester United have reportedly set out a plan for Kobbie Mainoo as the midfielder steps up his efforts to return to the Red Devils first team squad.
Kobbie Mainoo suffered a serious ankle injury against Real Madrid during pre-season and the defender has not featured for the Red Devils since.
Erik ten Hag is certainly a big fan of the 18-year-old and had the midfielder been fit for the Red Devils from the start of the season, then he would have surely received some meaningful minutes.
Mainoo has seemingly recovered, however, and Manchester United have outlined their plans for the 18-year-old as they look to gradually reintegrate him into the squad.
United’s Mainoo plan
According to a report from the Manchester Evening News, United have set out a strenuous plan for his return as they don’t want the midfielder picking up another injury.
Mainoo featured for the United Under 19 side against FC Copenhagen but was substituted after 45 minutes in the UEFA Youth League game and the midfielder isn’t far away from a return to the first team.
That substitution, however, was planned as United did not want to rush him back too quickly as they seem to finally be learning from their mistakes from the past, rushing Lisandro Martinez back being one.
This could mean it could be a couple of weeks before we see Mainoo integrated into a first team matchday squad.
Mainoo to be the surprise package
It now doesn’t seem as surprising due to the sheer hype around the teenage midfielder but Mainoo has had a meteoric rise in the squad in just under a year.
Mainoo featured sparingly last season under Ten Hag and the Dutch manager was seen deep in conversation with the teenager after United’s Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle United in February.
The midfielder featured for the Reds in pre-season and it was a game against Arsenal in July that really got the United fans’ tongues wagging, he looked right at home.
When the midfielder is deemed fit enough, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ten Hag trusts the midfielder throughout this season for the Red Devils.