Manchester United made seven summer signings this year but the return of Kobbie Mainoo will feel like an eighth.
The 18-year-old has not played for the senior team since suffering a serious ankle injury picked up in a freak collision just two minutes into the pre-season friendly with Real Madrid. He was selected to start ahead of a number of senior players for the fixture, and Erik ten Hag had seemed to signal his intentions.
Mainoo made his senior debut in January’s League Cup quarter-final clash with Charlton Athletic before being afforded two more appearances in the weeks after. He may have had more if he had not picked up a knock towards the end of the campaign.
READ MORE: Mainoo is about to discover where he stands with Erik ten Hag
The teenager - who subsequently signed a new deal in February - has been recently getting back up to speed with the academy. He grabbed a couple of assists against League Two Salford City in the EFL Trophy a fortnight ago and looked head-and-shoulders above the rest.