Manchester United and England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has revealed how he kept himself busy after he missed the start of the 2023-24 season due to injury.
Kobbie Mainoo emerged from the Manchester United academy and was included in Erik ten Hag’s squad for the pre-season tour last summer.
However, the 19-year-old midfielder suffered a major setback during the pre-season campaign in 2023 during a friendly match against Real Madrid in Houston, Texas.
Mainoo started the match against Real Madrid and the United star lasted only six minutes before he was forced off and replaced by teammate Christian Eriksen.
It was later revealed that the England international had suffered an ankle injury in the 2-0 defeat and missed the opening stages of the Premier League season.
Mainoo made his first senior appearance in four months after he made his first Premier League start for United in the 3-0 win over Everton last November.
The Stockport-born player produced a stunning performance against the Toffees and earned rave reviews from fans for his display at Goodison Park.
Mainoo’s activity during Man Utd injury
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo has had a remarkable season at Old Trafford after his return from injury.
The Three Lions international established himself as a key midfield presence under manager Erik ten Hag and became a regular starter in the first team.
Mainoo started in all 24 of his Premier League appearances in the 2023-24 campaign, with the United star scoring three times and picking up a single assist.
The midfielder’s impressive performances for the Red Devils later earned him his senior call-up to the England squad for the March international break.
Mainoo impressed with his second-half cameo in the 1-0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley before starting in the 2-2 draw against Belgium and producing a stunning display.
The United star also ensured his place in the England squad for Euro 2024 in Germany, with Mainoo tipped to play a big role at the tournament this summer.
Speaking to The Guardian, Mainoo opened up on how his breakout season at Old Trafford went from strength to strength after his return from injury.
However, the United star showed an insight into his elite mindset – something Erik ten Hag has praised in the past – with what he was doing during his injury spell.
Mainoo revealed that he took up learning a new language while he was sidelined and was forced to put it on the backburner after his breakthrough in the first team.
However, the England midfielder admitted that he “enjoyed” his Spanish lessons and will be looking to pick them back up in the summer.
“I started Spanish lessons on Zoom just to pass the time a bit,” Mainoo said.
“It’s tough to keep doing them now with the schedule being so busy but now it’s into summer I’ll try to pick it up again because I enjoyed it.”
Mainoo on FA Cup final vs Man City
Mainoo has a chance to lift his second piece of major silverware at United if the Red Devils can defy the odds and beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
The United player was on the bench for the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford last October before playing in the 3-1 loss at the Etihad in March.
Mainoo admitted that the 3-1 defeat to City was “very tough,” but he insisted that United could still beat the defending FA Cup holders in the final this weekend.
“That was very tough. They’re one of the best, if not the best team in the world at the moment – you can’t deny it,” he said.
“But it’s a final and as everyone knows in finals anything can happen. We just have to prepare ourselves the best we can and go and give ourselves a chance to win.”