Manchester United have reportedly learned how long Kobbie Mainoo's injury will sideline the teenage midfielder for.
The 19-year-old was one of a staggering 12 senior players missing from the Man United squad for their trip to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday, having hurt himself in training.
Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim confirmed earlier in the week that he had been dealt a couple of new blows, albeit without naming names, but he told Sky Sports News before kickoff on Sunday that Mainoo "felt something".
Now, journalist Chris Wheeler claims that the England international - who has registered one goal and one assist from 25 appearances this season - is likely to be sidelined for as long as six weeks with his latest blow.
Mainoo is therefore expected to return in either late March or early April, but he stands to miss a critical period of fixtures both continentally and domestically while he recuperates from the blow.
Which Man United matches will Mainoo miss?
My understanding is that Mainoo will be out for around 6wks #mufc https://t.co/Dk83wiruPo
— Chris Wheeler (@ChrisWheelerDM) February 16, 2025
Should Mainoo indeed miss the whole of March and return to action in early April, the teenager could sit out as many as 11 matches for club and country, depending on how far the Red Devils progress in the FA Cup.
Including Sunday's trip to Tottenham, Mainoo could sit out five Premier League games, as Amorim's side will also take on Everton and Ipswich Town before the end of February.
Next month, Man United will take on title-chasing Arsenal (March 9) and Leicester City (March 16) in the top flight, prior to which they meet Fulham in round five of the FA Cup on March 2.
If the Red Devils win that game against their Premier League rivals, any prospective quarter-final would take place on March 29, which Mainoo may also be at risk of sitting out.
Furthermore, the teenager should not be available for either of Man United's Europa League last-16 games in the first two weeks of March, as the Red Devils wait to learn whether they will face AZ Alkmaar, Galatasaray, FC Midtjylland or Real Sociedad.
At international level, Mainoo also looks set to miss out on selection for Thomas Tuchel's first England squad, as the Three Lions kick off their new era against Albania and Latvia on the 21st and 24th of next month.
What other Man United players are sidelined?
© Imago
Under-pressure Man United boss Amorim could put out a full team of players with his troops that are currently stricken, as Mainoo is one of 12 who were unable to take on Tottenham in North London.
That list also includes fellow youngster Amad Diallo, expected to miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury, and Lisandro Martinez, who has just undergone successful surgery on an ACL problem.
Jonny Evans, Altay Bayindir, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Tom Heaton, Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer were also unavailable for selection, as were the ill Christian Eriksen and Leny Yoro.
Man United's selection crisis forced Amorim to fill his bench with fledgling academy products at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, including former Arsenal hotshot Chido Obi Martin.
Ben Knapton
