Manchester United have confirmed Kobbie Mainoo suffered an ankle injury during their friendly against Real Madrid and will thus be ruled out for the first part of the 2023-24 season.
“Manchester United can confirm that Kobbie Mainoo suffered an ankle injury during the match against Real Madrid on Tour 2023,” read a statement on the club’s official website, adding: “The midfielder is expected to be ruled out for the first part of the 2023/24 season. He has flown home from Tour to the UK where further assessment of his injury will take place before a medical decision on the next steps.”
Kobbie was handed his fourth start in pre-season against Real Madrid when Brazilian forward Rodrygo landed on his leg following a tackle from Man United midfielder Casemiro. The Academy graduate was forced to withdraw from the match.
After the injury, the 18-year-old posted on his Instagram account, saying: “I’ll be back stronger and in no time,” he wrote. “Thanks for your messages of support.”
Mainoo entered 2023-24 on the back of his senior Reds debut last term, handed to him by Erik ten Hag, and having been named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year. The youngster continued to impress during pre-season, with Ten Hag showing his faith in him by selecting the midfielder to start against Arsenal and Real Madrid.