It’s understood Mainoo was informed he would play a role in the first-team squad in the new season instead of being sent on loan, so watching him hobble off the pitch after starting against Real Madrid was gutwrenching for his family.
With the exception of the Under-21s’ clash against Wrexham, Mainoo started in every pre-season game until his injury and although he impressed against Leeds, Lyon and Arsenal, starting against Real Madrid felt significant.
Erik ten Hag picked his strongest line-up for that match in Houston and Mainoo started alongside Casemiro and Mason Mount in midfield, who were up against Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni.
The caption of ‘England’s best midfielder and Bellingham’ above a picture of Mainoo and the former Borussia Dortmund star was even jokingly shared on social media ahead of kick-off, which unsurprisingly gained traction.
Mainoo had already looked at ease pitted against Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz in New Jersey, but playing Madrid was a further opportunity for him to test himself against bona fide Champions League quality players.
That chance was unfortunately cut short after just a few minutes following a collision with Casemiro. The medical staff entered the field and Mainoo was brought off with their support, reluctant to place weight on his ankle.
It was later confirmed Mainoo would be out for ‘the first part’ of the season. The youngster flew home from the States early for a medical assessment on the ankle problem and the suggestion was he could be absent for two months.
“He was doing brilliant, but that happens in football and you have to deal with it,” said Ten Hag about Mainoo. “I hope he’ll be back quickly, we’ll support him, but he must do it by himself. I’m sure he’ll be back because he’s so resilient.”
Mainoo, who has long been considered the shining light of his age group in the academy, sustained an injury at the worst possible time, but he’s got a great support network and his ‘resilience’ will help him in rehabilitation.
It always felt inevitable that he would be the breakout star of pre-season and it’s telling he’ll still end the summer with that status, despite being absent against Dortmund and being forced to watch the remaining two friendly games from afar.
Mainoo’s maturity, technical ability and composure make him an asset in the midfield and it’s a shame that he sustained an injury when being on the cusp of breaking into the side, but he should pick up where he left off in September or October.
Fred has interest from Fulham and Galatasaray and he’s likely to leave this summer, which means a midfield spot in the first-team should emerge. That role has been earmarked for Mainoo and he’s got the talent to seize it.
When Mainoo returns from injury, it’s hoped he’ll take the ‘Alejandro Garnacho’ route and be used in cup competitions. He’s done all the right things in his career so far and it’s no wonder academy coaches’ eyes light up when they speak about him.
Mainoo’s return from the sidelines will be a boost to the side and the same can be said about Amad, who will also miss the ‘first part’ of the new Premier League season after sustaining a knee injury during the tour of the States.
The decision on whether to send Amad on loan again or not was yet to be made, but his injury means he’ll stay at Old Trafford. He enjoyed a brilliant spell at Sunderland last term and was hoping to make a statement this summer.
Amad contributed 14 goals and four assists in the Championship and deputising for Antony, who has little competition on the right, will be his role when he returns, which means he should get minutes when the team is rotated.
The club thought they were signing one of the most exciting prospects in Europe when signing Amad for £19million rising to £37m from Atalanta in October 2020 and there’s still time to live up to that billing.
Both Mainoo and Amad have been unfortunate with the timing of their injuries and they’ll be hungry when they return.
