Kobbie Mainoo handed three‑week break before key Manchester United pre‑season

Kobbie Mainoo will be handed a three‑week break before rejoining Manchester United’s pre‑season, even though he did not play a single minute for England at the World Cup.

The 21‑year‑old is expected to link up with the squad either for the friendly against Paris Saint‑Germain in Gothenburg or at the subsequent training camp in Ireland.

England manager Thomas Tuchel opted not to use Mainoo, with reports suggesting the coaching staff were not fully convinced by his personality and approach in training. At United, however, there is no such doubt.

Club staff who have worked closely with him for years understand that Mainoo is naturally shy and introverted, keeping a low profile and showing emotion differently from many teammates. They see that as part of his character rather than a weakness and remain fully confident about his importance to the team this season.

United fans now hope he can park the frustration of his World Cup snub and channel it into strong performances back at Old Trafford. After his rest, Mainoo is likely to feature in several warm‑up matches, using pre‑season minutes to sharpen up and prove again why he is viewed as one of the club’s key midfielders for the campaign ahead.