KOBBIE MAINOO has been ruled out of United’s side to face Aston Villa.
The 20-year-old picked up a small injury in training on Saturday and is not available for Ruben Amorim’s side.
The knock could not have come at a worse time for Mainoo as Manuel Ugarte starts his first game in three months.
The England international was hoping for a first start of the season with Casemiro serving a one-match ban after picking up a fifth yellow card of the campaign against Bournemouth.
It was a toss-up between Mainoo and Ugarte to start alongside skipper Bruno Fernandes in central midfield.
In Friday’s press conference, Amorim told Mainoo to fight for his place at United – just like club legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney did at his age.
The United gaffer also hinted that Mainoo “could start” given his strong 30-minute cameo in Monday’s hectic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
Mainoo was ruled out of the trip to Tottenham in November when academy midfielder Jack Fletcher travelled with the first-team squad.
One name that has been given the green light in the United squad is Bendito Mantato, who has been dubbed the ‘next Saka.’
Mantato, 17, started as a left-back and plays there for England, but operates as a right winger for United’s youth sides.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
