The sight of Kobbie Mainoo back on the grass at the Carrington earlier this week was exactly what Manchester United’s supporters wanted to see ahead of Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge this weekend.
The academy graduate has been missing for more than a month through injury, last featuring in United’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park on October 6.
Missing the last seven matches, the prospect of Mainoo being in contention for Amorim’s debut in the dugout against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Sunday afternoon will be a welcome boost for the new Reds head coach.
From that moment onwards, Mainoo became a staple in United’s midfield, starting 23 of the their remaining 25 Premier League matches last season. He had gone from being a promising academy product to a first-team undroppable in the blink of an eye.
Although Mainoo made his mark against Everton as a holding midfielder, it soon became apparent he was more comfortable getting on the ball and advancing. He is a forward-thinking player, capable of receiving the ball and looking to attack.
Amid Casemiro’s downfall last season, United went into the summer transfer window knowing they had to recruit a world-class defensive-midfielder to sit alongside Mainoo in the engine room. After several months of speculation, Manuel Ugarte joined the club from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.
“Signing Manuel was another of our primary targets for this summer,” said sporting director Dan Ashworth. “He is among the very best ball-winning midfield players in the world and has an excellent record at both club and international level.
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