Erik ten Hag has Kobbie Mainoo concern eased after Man United pre-season boost

Kobbie Mainoo was crucial for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United last season but cannot be expected to start the campaign after participation with England at Euro 2024.

Mainoo, 18, made six appearances throughout the tournament with England and started four of those – all being in the knockout stages.

This followed on from a campaign where the teenager played 34 games in around six months and started 22 Premier League fixtures in a row for United.

While Mainoo was brilliant for Ten Hag’s side, it quickly became clear during his exploits at Euro 2024 that the teenager would need a break and could not be relied on as much going forward.

Ten Hag’s midfield seemed depleted and the options for the opening game against Fulham appeared uninspiring as we entered pre-season. Mainoo is not expected to return until just before the Community Shield against Manchester City and should be eased back into action.

However, after just three pre-season fixtures it has become apparent that two players could be set to play important roles in the first-team this season.

Mason Mount had a horrible first term at Old Trafford, with his campaign littered with injury troubles. But the former Chelsea midfielder has been excellent so far in pre-season both in and out of possession.

He played alongside Mainoo in the midfield last summer and Ten Hag will certainly be considering placing the 25-year-old in the engine room for the beginning of the season. He is perhaps one of the only players in the squad who seems to think two or three steps ahead, always with a clear vision when he receives the ball.

However, Mount is not the only one who has impressed in the midfield so far this summer, with Academy star Toby Collyer also being a standout performer so far.

The 20-year-old played alongside Mount and Casemiro in the midfield against Arsenal and provided a solid display. He was particularly impressive against Rangers as well.

With the bite and energy, mixed with a good enough in-possession game, Collyer looks to be the perfect midfield type to bring into the first-team and he could also provide an option for Ten Hag at the beginning of the season.

There’s no question that Manchester United’s best team has Kobbie Mainoo at the heart of it, but the club cannot make any grave mistakes in handling his development and pushing too much out of him too soon could easily backfire.

With the performances of Mount and Collyer during pre-season so far and the possibility of further strengthening the midfield with a signing in the transfer market, Ten Hag seems to now be in a better position to afford Mainoo that much-needed rest at times next season.

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