Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is reportedly not far from making a return to Erik ten Hag’s line-up, ahead of their must-win clash against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday.
Mainoo was United’s breakout star of pre-season but received a blow when he picked up an injury during a friendly game vs. Real Madrid.
He returned to training during the October international break. During his presser before the Sheffield United match, Ten Hag told reporters that the Englishman was not fit enough to feature at Bramall Lane, although he was nearing a return to action.
Manchester Evening News have provided an update on Mainoo and indicated that he could be available for selection to face FC Copenhagen.
“Mainoo’s return to the United line-up is on the horizon after the young midfielder featured in training. There had been hope he would feature against the Blades but he was not a member of the squad,” the outlet says.
Another player expected to be included in the starting XI is Sergio Reguilon.
Unlike Mainoo, the Spaniard was a surprise exclusion from the matchday squad that travelled to face Paul Heckingbottom’s men on Saturday.
MEN states on Reguilon, “The issue with the on-loan Tottenham Hotspur defender is not thought to be serious and he should be making a return to the line-up shortly after a good start at Old Trafford.”
Against the Blades, Jonny Evans formed a solid centre-back partnership with Harry Maguire in the absence of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane who was on the bench, seemingly not yet fully fit after a brief period on the sidelines.
There were concerns when Evans – who has started well at United during his second spell – went down and had to be replaced by Varane.
However, it’s understood that he was only substituted as a precaution and it was nothing serious.
The North Ireland international should be good to play in the Champions League this week as United look to get out of their group and proceed to the next round of the competition.
Ten Hag will not be able to count on the services of Casemiro who is still in Brazil recovering from a physical setback sustained during the international break.
In any case, the 31-year-old was suspended after being red-carded against Galatasaray.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw remain long-term absentees.
Wan-Bissaka who suffered a hamstring injury could return in November, with Shaw a little bit further away from making a comeback.
As per MEN, there is a real possibility that Martinez has played his last game of the year, with January 2024 looking like a realistic return period for the World Cup winner.
With respect to Amad Diallo, “The young winger has been posting updates on his social media channels documenting his progress. He has been training which suggests a return may not be far off but a time frame has not been revealed yet.”