Manchester United handed injury blow as starlet Kobbie Mainoo leaves stadium on crutches

Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo was seen leaving the stadium on crutches following a 2-0 pre-season defeat against Real Madrid.

The midfielder was forced off with an ankle injury early on and made his way down the touchline as Jude Bellingham opened the scoring for the La Liga giants.

Joselu’s stunning overhead kick in the dying moments finished off the Red Devils on a night when Mainoo was robbed of his chance to shine against the Spaniards.

Mainoo has been one of United’s stand out performers in pre-season with boss Erik ten Hag having utilised the 18-year-old in four of the five friendlies so far.

But his tour could be over after video captured him leaving Houston’s NRG Stadium on crutches and wearing a protective boot on his left foot.

The 18-year-old was paired with Casemiro in central midfield, giving the teenage star the opportunity to show his worth against the 14-time European Cup winners.

But an innocuous injury occurred when Casemiro fouled Rodrygo before the Real Madrid forward then fell on Mainoo.

He was then helped to his feet by two physios before Ten Hag made the decision to replace him.

Mainoo is now a doubt for United’s last tour match against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas on Sunday.

United will hope the injury isn’t a serious one as they gear up for the return of the Premier League.

«I understand the question,» Ten Hag said at his press conference, when asked what the injury was. «But you can never tell straight after a game. We have to wait for what it is.

»So, hopefully, it's not too bad and then chances will come. I wanted to see what levels he could play. Against Arsenal, we were pleased with his performance.

«I wanted to see if he could repeat that, some days after, from then, we would have