With Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes still absent after representing their nations at the European Championship, opportunity knocks for the rest of Manchester United’s midfielders.
Mainoo helped England reach the final of the showpiece event in Germany and Fernandes and Portugal reached the last eight. Both players, like other members of the squad who participated at a major tournament over the summer, are entitled to three weeks off.
As a result, neither of them were aboard the flight that left Manchester Airport for Los Angeles last Wednesday. It means manager Erik ten Hag is in the US without two thirds of his strongest midfield.
Mainoo was United’s breakout star last season, being transformed from a first-team hopeful to one of the very first names on the teamsheet. His importance is now on par with Fernandes’.
