Mainoo, 18, has emerged as a serious option in Erik ten Hag’s engine room in recent weeks following his return from injury.

His inclusion in the United side would’ve certainly been earlier in the season had he not suffered the setback in pre-season that kept him out for several months.

 

 

Now back in contention, Mainoo started his first-ever Premier League game against Everton last weekend and was the best player on the park.

He started on the beach in Instabul against Galatasaray on Wednesday but impressed when he replaced Sofyan Amrabat midway through the second half.

The youngster is expected to start away at Newcastle this weekend and his academy coach Travis Binnion has been praising the development of the 18-year-old.

Binnion was in charge of the likes of Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Dan Gore in the 2021/22 campaign as The Reds won the FA Youth Cup.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the now-under 21s head coach has explained the roles that he believes Mainoo can play for Ten Hag and how he’s able to compliment several different midfield partners due to the wide skillset he possesses.

“I think he’ll play in one of the No.6/No.8 roles,” stated Binnion.

“There are slightly different requirements within those two roles, and as you see this season with our team and any side that players a 4-2-3-1 formation, the two deeper midfielders aren’t the same, and they’ll dovetail.

“I think he’ll play a deeper role, and whoever he plays with, they’ll complement each other in different ways because Kobbie’s skillset is wide. If he plays with a McTominay, Eriksen, Amrabat or a Casemiro, he’s going to add to that make-up.

“But we’re not daft, Casemiro’s skillset is different to Eriksen’s, for example, so Kobbie will have to learn, and the manager will no doubt set him up to flourish, but they’ll be different requirements, and that’s without thinking about the opposition.”

Mainoo has played as the deepest midfielder in both of his appearances for the first team so far this term.