“Brilliant” United star pushing hard to return from injury alongside Fernandes ahead of season-defining week – report

Manchester United are sweating over the fitness of Kobbie Mainoo as the 20-year-old midfielder pushes to return from injury ahead of a crucial double header of fixtures for the Red Devils. Chaotic Preparation In amidst the state of chaos which has engulfed the club today, fans could be forgiven for forgetting United are travelling to face Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday night. This is quickly followed by an FA Cup third round clash with Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday in a make-or-break week for the club’s ambitions this year. Darren Fletcher will take charge for both matches after being appointed as an interim replacement for Ruben Amorim, who was dismissed this morning after a fracture in his relationship with the executive branch. The 41-year-old Scot – currently manager of the Under-18 side – is not the permanent caretaker, however, with United actively searching for an option to take over until the end of the season. It is likely that a long-term appointment will then be made to properly replace Amorim. The plethora of candidates available will be larger come the summer – but the hunt will be made easier if the club are able to offer European football at the Theatre of Dreams next year, a process which begins at Turf Moor on Wednesday. Champions League qualification is likely to be secured with a fifth-placed finish, with United currently sixth in the table, just three points off fourth-placed Liverpool and behind Chelsea in fifth on goal difference. A win over Burnley would lift them into the Champions League spots – which is why Fletcher will be desperate to call on Mainoo, who has missed the past three weeks with injury. Training on Grass A well-placed source reveals Mainoo has been “training individually on grass for a week now” as he makes “significant progress and clos[es] in on a return from injury.” The stapicked up a calf injury in training and the club’s medical staff have been careful with his rehabilitation, not wanting to risk further aggravation. It is touch-and-go whether he will be fit to face Burnley, with question marks over the fitness of Bruno Fernandes as well, as explained here. The club captain is recovering from a hamstring injury but has also recently begun training on grass as he ramps up a return. He has been “begging” the coaching staff to let him feature versus Burnley – with Fletcher sure to want both of creative midfielders at his disposal. And this marks a refreshing change from the Scot’s predecessor. The rift between Amorim and Mainoo, who is yet to start a Premier League match this season, had appeared to have boiled over after the youngster’s brother wore a provocative t-shirt for the match against Bournemouth, questioning the coach’s treatment of the midfielder. Kobbie Mainoo’s stats 2025/26 CompetitionMatchesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Premier League11––––212′ EFL Cup1-1––90′ Total12-1––302′ But the truth was the Portuguese coach’s 3-4-2-1 system simply did not have a natural home for Mainoo, particularly once it became clear his main competitor within it was Fernandes. Mainoo lacked the physicality for the central pivot and the attacking guile to be a No 10, with his best position coming in a midfield three – the same set-up Fletcher has used consistently with the U-18’s. The England international is set to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Amorim’s departure with the maligned system following the Portuguese through the exit door at Old Trafford. And the prospect of Fernandes and Mainoo lining up in the same midfield again is a tantalising one for United fans. Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.