Pundit confidence of Man United's top four finish as Kobbie Mainoo's mystery absence is explained

According to Jermaine Jenas, the top four will not change until the end of the campaign as Aston Villa chases European football.

Villa sit six points behind fourth-place Manchester United with five games left in the season. If they win this weekend at Old Trafford, Unai Emery's team will have a chance to cut the deficit to three points.

United will play Brighton (A), West Ham (A), Wolves (H), Bournemouth (A), Chelsea (H), and Fulham (H) after the match against Villa. Jenas, a former midfielder in the Premier League, thinks United can secure a Champions League spot by winning those games.

"I don’t see that moving at all," Jenas told BT Sport. "I think even when I’m looking at those fixtures, they’re very favourable for United."


"Villa, Brighton, granted two very in-form teams, but after that Wolves, West Ham, Bournemouth, they’re all games that United will go and win and I don’t see the top four changing."

Wolves (A), Tottenham (H), Liverpool (A), and Brighton (H) will all be opponents for Aston Villa.



Kobbie Mainoo's absence explained

Kobbie Mainoo, a young player for Manchester United, is not currently participating in first-team squads as he recovers from an injury.

Mainoo, who only turned 18 last week, was last used in a first-team lineup on March 12 against Southampton.

The highly respected midfielder has missed the Under-21s' previous four games as well as Carrington training, but insiders have told the Manchester Evening News that his injury is "not particularly serious."

The U21s' final game of the season is against Leicester the following week after their Friday match against Tottenham. Although Mainoo is not expected to play in either of those contests, he might make a comeback before the season is over.


In the League Cup quarterfinals against Charlton Athletic in January, Erik ten Hag gave Mainoo his first-team debut. A month later, against Leicester, Mainoo made his Premier League debut.

This season, he has been a part of eight different league matchday squads. Mainoo has also participated in Europa League teams, and he was granted the chance to travel with the club to Barcelona to play in the Nou Camp.

The teenager recently penned a new contract with Man United after he turned 17 year old and as well lifted the Youth Emirates FA Cup title with Man United's academy.


Erik Ten Hag has been impressed with Kobbie Mainoo since he took over the helms of affairs at Old Trafford, already given total control of the Red Devils academy team, the former Ajax boss gave the 18 year old his Man United's debut against Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup and stated the young mid fielder deserved it.

"The most important thing is to win this game and get into the next round," Ten Hag told MUTV before kick off between Man United and Charlton Athletic back in January.

"We want to get into the semi-finals, so it's a big game. For him (Mainoo) it's a great opportunity, he did very well during the winter camp in Spain. He also did very well against Everton in a friendly. He deserved to play, so I'm happy to give him the opportunity - it's about deserving it."

"He has to (be ready), we have to step up, I think we have a strong team today. Licha, it's his first time back, but he's had some good training sessions and will be ready for this game. You always have to play your game, which means 100 per cent focus."

"100 per cent energy, no matter who the opponent is. Always respect the opponent, but play your own game."

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post