Kobbie Mainoo will not be in Manchester United’s starting XI against Newcastle in Wednesday’s League Cup clash after starting for the Under-21s on Tuesday evening.
The young Reds faced off against Salford City in the EFL Trophy and Mainoo was picked to play from the start. However, there is a chance the midfielder could still be named in the squad at Old Trafford.
The 18-year-old featured on the bench in Sunday’s Manchester derby defeat but failed to get onto the pitch. United are taking a cautious approach to his return from an ankle injury sustained in pre-season, which has prevented him from enjoying any first-team minutes so far this term.
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His inclusion in Travis Binnion’s Under-21s line-up on Tuesday means he will not be named in Erik ten Hag’s midweek line-up, but may yet get his first minutes of the season as a substitute if he indeed does make the matchday squad.
Mainoo played for the Under-19s in last week’s UEFA Youth League clash with FC Copenhagen. He was taken off at half-time in the tie in what was a pre-arranged scheduled decision.
The teenager made his senior debut in last season’s triumphant League Cup run when he started from the off in the 3-0 quarter-final win over Charlton Athletic. He went on to make subsequent appearances against Reading in the FA Cup and Leicester City in the Premier League.
Mainoo was included in Ten Hag’s pre-season squad for the tour of the USA and impressed with his showings. His displays saw him get the nod to start against Real Madrid, but his night ended after just two minutes when a freak collision saw him hobble off with a serious ankle setback.
Mainoo has since returned to full senior training and was included in the matchday squad for the first time this season on Sunday.
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