Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that Kobbie Mainoo is "close" to making his return from the injury which has sidelined him since pre-season.

The 18-year-old made his Red Devils debut in January, ending last season with three appearances in all competitions, while he was involved in the team's preparations for the 2023-24 campaign before picking up an ankle injury against Real Madrid in the United States.

Despite his age, it is believed that Ten Hag views Mainoo as a player capable of being a regular, and he is now closing in on a return to first-team action.

The Englishman will again be absent against Sheffield United on Saturday evening, but he could potentially be involved against Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday.

"He is close. He is already training with us. Not today but I think, next week, he will have some minutes in the team. So then he can catch up his game minutes. So he is really improving and ready to get back in the squad for games," Ten Hag told reporters on Friday.

Fellow midfielder Casemiro will also be missing against Sheffield United due to an injury which he picked up while representing Brazil during the international break.

The 31-year-old was not expected to play against Uruguay last week after suffering an ankle problem against Venezuela, but he was included in the XI, and Ten Hag has said that the clash with Uruguay 'would not have helped' Casemiro, as he was carrying a knock.

"In the first game, he came off, but then he played the second game. It was an important game. But, yeah, I'm sure that game didn't help him," he said.

"But it's a small injury and he will return next week. It will be healed. And then he's ready for our next [league] game, I'm sure.

"You can't be (unhappy about him playing). That is the rules. He's playing for a nation and he's playing for us. And we all understand that Casemiro is a soldier and he is available for every game. So he will always give his best, for his nation and for Manchester United."

Ten Hag also said during his press conference that he is not concerned by the limited recovery time that his team will have between Saturday's clash with Sheffield United and Tuesday's Champions League fixture with Copenhagen.

"Well, I think it's time enough to recover. Yeah I think it's okay. And that there is time from tomorrow [at] eight to Tuesday [at] eight. There's enough time to recover and to prepare that game," he said.

Man United recorded a 2-1 win over Brentford before the international break courtesy of a stoppage-time brace from Scott McTominay, but the team have still suffered six losses already this season. body check tags ::