Why Kobbie Mainoo isn't playing for Man Utd vs Porto despite training ahead of match

Erik ten Hag hoped to have Kobbie Mainoo available for Manchester United's Europa League clash with Porto but the midfielder hasn't been able to recover from an injury which he sustained against Tottenham

Manchester United have confirmed that Kobbie Mainoo missed Thursday's Europa League clash with Porto because of a minor injury.

Mainoo, 19, came off shortly before half-time on Sunday during United's humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham. The England international, who's been included in the Three Lions' latest squad ahead of their Nations League fixtures next week, was fit enough to train on Wednesday and travelled to Portugal with his team-mates.

But when team news was announced, fans noticed that Mainoo was out of the squad altogether. United quickly explained that the 19-year-old is still struggling with his injury from the Tottenham game and the clash with Porto came to soon.

In Mainoo's absence, Erik ten Hag opted to recall Casemiro to play against his former club. The Brazilian was joined in midfield by Christian Eriksen, who scored the opening goal in United's first Europa League fixture, an insipid 1-1 draw with Dutch side Twente, and Bruno Fernandes.

Striker Rasmsus Hojlund was handed his first start of the campaign, having missed the Red Devils' first six games of the season through injury. Amad and Marcus Rashford were on the flanks, and despite conceding three at home to Tottenham, Ten Hag stuck with his same defensive unit.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana was behind a back four of Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot, who also faced his ex-employers after coming through Porto's academy setup. Dalot was due to join Ten Hag at United's pre-match press conference on Wednesday, although a lengthy delay to their flight saw only the Red Devils' under-fire manager appear.

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Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images) Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Ten Hag told reporters when quizzed on United's run of three games without a win: "As always, when we are not winning, we are very disappointed. Of course, we are mad with ourselves, especially when you see a game like Sunday also, after all, we had to play so long with 10 players and, after, it's overturned, the red card.

"It gives frustration because it's such a long time to play with 10, it's never to your advantage. It had a real impact in the game. We have to deal with it. We are mad but now, from the madness, we have to get motivation and deal with the next game."

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