Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo missed England's 6-4 win over France in the World Cup bronze medal match on Saturday due to a back injury sustained in the final training session. The 21-year-old did not play a single minute during the tournament, as England were eliminated by Argentina in the semi-finals.
Injury Details and England Absence
England manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed the injury after the match, stating: "Kobbie was injured in the last training session yesterday morning. He had a sharp pain in the back within the training and he was not ready to play." The Football Association had earlier cited an unspecified injury as the reason for Mainoo's absence.
Mainoo's lack of playing time in the tournament had drawn criticism. Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt suggested before the injury news broke that Mainoo should refuse to play against France in protest at his limited minutes.
Return Date and Pre-Season Plans
Mainoo will now be afforded at least three weeks off before returning to Manchester United ahead of the new Premier League season. The club's pre-season is expected to begin in early August, meaning Mainoo could be back in training by mid-August if his recovery progresses as planned.
The midfielder earned his place in England's World Cup squad thanks to a strong second half of last season under United manager Michael Carrick, having been frozen out under previous manager Ruben Amorim.
