Kobbie Mainoo’s World Cup Bench Time Limits Manchester United Pre‑Season Preparation

England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was included in the national squad for the World Cup but did not feature in any match, spending six weeks on the bench. The lack of playing time meant he missed Manchester United’s pre‑season training, preventing him from building chemistry with new midfield partners such as Andrey Santos and recent signing Youri Tielemans.

Manchester United assistant Michael Carrick acknowledged that Mainoo’s absence could force the club to rely more heavily on other midfield options, while England coach Thomas Tuchel opted to use older players like Jordan Henderson and Reece James instead. Though the decision sparked criticism from United supporters, it also means the young midfielder avoided a potential injury ahead of the 2026‑27 Premier League season.