Man United manager Erik ten Hag makes promise to Kobbie Mainoo following injury concern

Kobbie Mainoo unfortunately fell to injury in the opening exchanges of Manchester United’s pre-season clash against Real Madrid.

Erik ten Hag’s side lost the game 2-0, conceding the opening goal moments after the youngster was replaced.

Following a collision with Rodrygo — after he was fouled by Casemiro — Mainoo was unable to continue after just six minutes.

It was a big blow for the teenager; who was trusted by Ten Hag to start the match against a world class Real Madrid midfield.

The United boss will not send Mainoo on loan next term and after starting four pre-season fixtures with the first-team, it seems like he will have a part to play in the new campaign.

After the game, Mainoo was pictured using crutches and wearing a support boot. This could potentially be precautionary but Ten Hag was unable to provide an update on the 18-year-old’s setback.

“I understand the question,” he said at his press conference, when asked what the injury was. “But you can never tell straight after a game. We have to wait for what it is.”

However, the United boss has also made a promise that chances will come for the teenager when he returns to the team; whether or not that is sooner or later.

“So, hopefully, it’s not too bad and then chances will come,” stated Ten Hag. “I wanted to see what levels he could play. Against Arsenal, we were pleased with his performance.

“I wanted to see if he could repeat that, some days after, from then, we would have conclusions. First, we have to wait for the diagnosis and, from there on, we will set conclusions.”

Such a guarantee for a teenager shows exactly how much the manager rates his ability. It has previously been reported that Ten Hag loves Mainoo to madness. Despite his age, he offers a unique profile which can benefit United in their deeper midfield areas.

He has excelled in pre-season fixtures against Leeds United, Lyon and Arsenal which has led to praise from former United captain Bryan Robson.

“I was really impressed with him,” he stated whilst speaking on MUTV’s The Debate show earlier this week. “I haven’t seen too much of him but I was really impressed with him against a team like Arsenal – he’s not a kid that comes into the team as a central midfield player and just goes chasing about, trying to impress the manager and all that.

“He’s calculated and he’s reading the game, doing things in his own time. He closes down really well, receives the ball and changes the pattern of the game, quickens it up when he wants to and he’s using his football brain and I’m quite impressed with him on first impressions.”