Kobbie Mainoo
MUN
CM
Ball-Winning Midfielder
Apr 19, 2005 (21)
Right
6'0"
159 lb
Man UtdMakes bench for final friendly
Mainoo (back) makes the bench for Saturday's final friendly against AC Milan, the club posted.
Analysis: Mainoo's inclusion follows a preseason spent managing a back issue, having been left out of the previous match against Leeds United while coach Michael Carrick said at the time he wasn't quite ready and was being held back for this fixture. Despite being relegated to a backup role for England at the World Cup, he remains one of United's most reliable options, though he'll face competition for minutes from offseason signings Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos as he builds toward a fuller workload heading into the new 2026/27 Premier League season.
Returns for Milan clash
Mainoo (back) has been included in Manchester United's squad for Saturday's friendly against AC Milan, the club announced.
Analysis: Mainoo's inclusion follows a preseason spent managing a back issue, having been left out of the previous match against Leeds while coach Michael Carrick said he wasn't quite ready and was being held back for this game. Despite being relegated to a backup role for England at the World Cup, he remains one of United's most reliable options and should provide steady passing and defensive numbers once fully up to speed, though he'll face competition for minutes from offseason signings Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. Mainoo is expected to build toward a fuller workload as the new season approaches.
Expected back after midweek absence
Mainoo (back) could return to action in the final offseason friendly against Milan after missing the previous game against Leeds and being mentioned by manager Michael Carrick. "Marcus [Rashford], Licha [Martinez] and Kobbie [Mainoo] aren't quite ready yet. We're preserving them for this weekend [against Milan in Wroclaw].", Jamie Jackson of The Guardian reports.
Analysis: Mainoo has been denied an appearance in the preseason period while he recovers from his back issue, but he has trained and slowly regained form before official action kicks off. Despite being relegated to a backup role for England during the recent World Cup, the young midfielder is still one of his club's most reliable options and should be a solid source of passing and defensive numbers once he's ready for a full workload. However, he'll contend for playing time with offseason signings Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.
Unlikely to play against Leeds
Mainoo is unlikely to feature against Leeds United at Croke Park on Wednesday after only completing a handful of training sessions but is likely to play at least 30 minutes against AC Milan on Saturday, according to Samuel Luckhurst of The Sun.
Analysis: Mainoo's back injury kept him out of England's last World Cup fixture, but he looked to have put that behind him upon returning to Manchester United's pre-season camp in Dublin on Monday. However, with only a limited number of training sessions under his belt since rejoining the group, he is not expected to feature against Leeds United at Croke Park on Wednesday. Instead, United appear to be targeting Saturday's friendly against AC Milan as his return point, with around half an hour planned to help him build match fitness ahead of the competitive campaign.
Reports to training
Mainoo (back) reported to pre-season training, according to his club.
Analysis: Mainoo is back with his teammates as they prepare for the new season, with the midfielder joining them for pre-season training. This is after he was injured in a training session with England while at the World Cup, meaning this is his first time back on the training pitch since the injury. This is a good sign for the team, as he could now feature in a friendly ahead of the start of the season, looking to be a regular option for Michael Carrick if he can remain fit.
Set to join United in Dublin
Mainoo (back) is set to join Manchester United's squad during the club's training week in Dublin beginning August 10, following his injury suffered in England's final World Cup training session, according to Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic.
Analysis: Mainoo did not play a single minute for England at the World Cup, a curious outcome given his ball retention skills seemed suited to the type of pressure Argentina and Mexico applied, and he was in contention to feature in the third place playoff before the back issue ruled him out. The injury is not expected to have any bearing on his return to United, and the three week break is instead being viewed as useful time for him to reset mentally after watching the tournament from the bench, with the friendly against Leeds United at Croke Park on Aug. 12 a likely target for his reintegration.
Out via injury
Mainoo is out for Saturday's clash with France due to injury, England announced.
Analysis: Mainoo missed England's final match in the World Cup, the third-place playoff against France due to an injury. The midfielder is now available to return to Manchester and try to get fit before the Premier League campaign kicks off. Mainoo failed to make an appearance at the World Cup, appearing on the bench for most matches.
Additional midfield option
Mainoo has been named in England's World Cup squad and is expected to provide manager Thomas Tuchel with a technically assured and composed midfield option capable of stepping in alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham whenever called upon.
Analysis: Mainoo ended the season having made 28 Premier League appearances for Manchester United, contributing one goal and two assists across 1,654 minutes in a campaign that saw him sign a new long-term contract extension to 2031, further underlining the club's belief in his development trajectory after the departure of coach Ruben Amorim who limited his playing time. The young midfielder brings dribbling ability, composure under pressure and the intelligence to operate in tight spaces that makes him a natural fit in any possession-based midfield system, and his previous tournament experience at Euro 2024 gives him a familiarity with the big-occasion environment. Mainoo heads into the World Cup as one of the most technically gifted young midfielders in the squad and a player who could play a crucial role if England reach the later stages of the competition.
Scores winner
Mainoo scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) in Sunday's 3-2 win against Liverpool.
Analysis: Mainoo scored a heroic goal during the second half, finishing with aplomb to send the United fans into rapture with a huge win over a struggling Liverpool side. At the start of the season Mainoo seemed to be on the outside of the squad looking in. Now he's scored a huge derby goal and extended his stay with the club for a further five years.
Signs contract extension until 2031
Mainoo signed a new contract extending his stay at Manchester United until June 2031, the club announced.
Analysis: Mainoo has been associated with the club since the age of six and has already made 98 appearances, scoring the decisive goal in the 2024 FA Cup final against Manchester City and representing England in the Euro 2024 final. Director of Football Jason Wilcox described Mainoo as one of the most naturally gifted young footballers in the world, praising his technical ability, professionalism and humble personality as the qualities that make him a perfect role model within the squad. Mainoo himself expressed his determination to help the club fight for major trophies in the years ahead, citing the momentum he feels building inside the club as a key motivation behind his commitment to stay. The extension ties down one of United's most exciting homegrown talents at a time when the club is rebuilding under coach Michael Carrick. This season, Mainoo contributed two assist and 21 chances created in 25 appearances across all competitions.
Starting in midfield
Mainoo (undisclosed) is in the starting XI for Saturday's clash against Chelsea.
Analysis: Mainoo passed the testing ahead of the contest that had been set to determine his availability, with the positive trend that had emerged following his absence last match proving enough for the coaching staff to hand him a starting role. The midfielder has been a fixture in the lineup ever since Michael Carrick took over as manager, and his return to full fitness slots him straight back into his natural role at the heart of the team.
Questionable for Chelsea match
Mainoo (undisclosed) is a late call for Saturday's match against Chelsea, according to manager Michael Carrick. "Kobbie, [is doing] little bits, yeah, we're working towards it. He's done little bits, so there's a decision to be made there."
Analysis: Mainoo missed the last match with an undisclosed injury but is trending in the right direction for Saturday, as the midfielder is now set to be a late call. That said, he will likely face some testing ahead of the contest, with that deciding if he will be an option or not. He has been a starter ever since Carrick took the role as manager, looking to return to that role once he is fit enough for 90 minutes.
Could return Saturday
Mainoo (undisclosed) is aiming to be in contention for Saturday's match against Chelsea after being involved in training Thursday, according to SullyTalks.
Analysis: Mainoo missed one game while recovering from a slight injury, but he might bounce back into a starting spot if he's fully healthy, challenging Manuel Ugarte for a central midfield role alongside Casemiro. The 20-year-old has seen consistent playing time when available, averaging 49.1 accurate passes and 1.9 tackles per game and adding two assists over his last 11 starts.
Out with small injury
Mainoo is out for Monday's match against Leeds United due to a "small issue in training," according to his club. "Over the last day or so, Kobbie just had an issue in training. So it seems small, but big enough to keep him out tonight. It wasn't worth the risk, to be honest, so we're hoping it's pretty small, and it won't be too long."
Analysis: Mainoo is a new addition to the injury list as United prepares to face Leeds, as the midfielder went down with a minor injury in training. This does force a change for the club, as they welcome Manuel Ugarte into the starting XI. They take the field again Saturday against Chelsea, giving Mainoo around five days to recover, leaving him with a chance to make the outing if the injury is truly "small."
Assists opener Saturday
Mainoo assisted once to go with one cross (one accurate) and four chances created in Saturday's 2-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur.
Analysis: Mainoo set up the opening goal Saturday as he assisted Bryan Mbeumo's goal in the 38th minute. It marked his second assist of the season, both of which have come in his last three matches. He created a season-high four chances and recorded one accurate cross on the attack. He also helped keep his second clean sheet of the season as he won one tackle and made one clearance before he was subbed off in the 92nd minute for Tyler Fletcher.
Gets assist in win
Mainoo assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and two chances created in Sunday's 3-2 victory against Arsenal.
Analysis: Mainoo got in on the action with an important assist for Man United in a stunning win over the league leaders. The midfielder will likely have a bigger role if Patrick Dorgu misses time and the matchup on Sunday against Fulham is favorable. Fulham have allowed 32 goals in 23 EPL games so far this season.
Makes first Premier League start
Mainoo is in the starting XI for the first time this season in the Premier League for the derby against Manchester United under new coach Michael Carrick.
Analysis: Mainoo has been mainly a bench option this season for Manchester United but is in the starting squad for the second time in a row after starting against Brighton in the FA Cup. The midfielder is set to start in the Premier League for the first time this season in one of the most important game of the campaign against Manchester City in the derby, as he looks to be finding his way back into a more consistent role for the red devils after losing his place under coach Ruben Amorim.
Bench option versus Burnley
Mainoo (calf) is on the bench for Wednesday's trip to Burnley.
Analysis: Mainoo was sidelined over the last four games due to his injury, before which he served as a depth option. He'll aim to be more active if he's able to convince the new manager who will come following Ruben Amorim's departure, though he may be unreliable after failing to produce in recent performances.
Could return against Burnley
Mainoo (calf) did parts of training this week and is a late call for Wednesday's clash against Burnley, interim coach Darren Fletcher said in the press conference, according to The Sun. "Kobbie actually did the part of the session today. But he's going to have to be assessed tomorrow, so that was part of the plan."
Analysis: Mainoo has partially resumed training with the team this week and will be assessed ahead of Wednesday's clash against the Clarets. The midfielder could be back in the plans of the Red Devils following the departure of former coach Ruben Amorim. Mainoo started zero games in 11 appearances this campaign after starting 19 Premier League games in 25 appearances last season, suggesting he could regain a larger role if the new coach rates him.
Starting recovery
Mainoo (calf) is going to begin to train again, according to manager Ruben Amorim. "Kobbie is going to start on the pitch, also, so we will see."
Analysis: Mainoo is not yet an option, but is still working on his recovery, as the midfielder will now take the pitch for training. This comes after three games missed, potentially posting a return in one of the club's next few games. However, with a busy schedule ahead, the club may be cautious about his return to play, but on the other hand, they have been struggling to keep midfielders fit.
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