Man United 'could restrict' youngster's minutes amid burn-out fears

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is reportedly considering restricting Kobbie Mainoo's minutes in the coming weeks to protect the midfielder's long-term fitness.

Mainoo has been a vital player for the Red Devils since breaking into the first team, while he also represented England at Euro 2024, becoming a starter for the Three Lions at the competition.

The 19-year-old has started all four of Man United's Premier League matches this season, playing the full 90 minutes in their last three in England's top flight against Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool and Southampton.

However, Mainoo was an unused substitute against Barnsley in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night, with Ten Hag taking the chance to rest the teenager.

According to GIVEMESPORT, despite his status as a key player, there is a strong chance that his minutes could be restricted over the next few weeks amid fears over a potential burn-out.

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Mainoo 'could be rested' over next few weeks

The report claims that Man United chiefs will be 'cautious' when it comes to Mainoo's game time, and he is likely to be rotated in the latter stages of this year due to the volume of games.

Man United will play another three times before the end of September, with their next game coming against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday night.

The Red Devils will then tackle FC Twente in the Europa League on September 25, before finishing the month with a home league fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.

Mainoo, having been rested against Barnsley, is widely expected to be in the starting XI against Palace, but he could be back on the bench for the European game with Twente next week.

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Which other midfielders are available for Ten Hag?

Mason Mount is currently on the sidelines through injury, with the Englishman not expected to be back until the end of the month, while Casemiro has struggled for form early this season.

Toby Collyer, 20, is now very much a part of the first-team squad, though, and he is an option in central midfield, while Christian Eriksen scored twice in Tuesday's 7-0 win over Barnsley.

Bruno Fernandes is a certainty in midfield, while Manuel Ugarte has now made two appearances for the club since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in the latter stages of the transfer window.

Mainoo, Ugarte and Fernandes is widely expected to be Ten Hag's first-choice midfield moving forward, but there are certainly options in that area, and Mainoo's minutes are set to be carefully monitored in the coming weeks due to his volume of football since bursting onto the scene.

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