Kobbie Mainoo being back in Manchester United training ahead of facing Lyon has sparked universal optimism for their fanbase.
Ruben Amorim’s side are little over 24 hours away from a match which could make or break their entire season, with the Europa League presenting United with the chance of salvaging a campaign to forget.
With the Red Devils languishing a lowly 13th in the Premier League table, going all the way in Europe’s secondary competition could give Amorim a direct route to Champions League qualification this term.
Rangers or Athletic Bilbao await United if they manage to advance past a Lyon side which will be missing highly-rated Liverpool target Malick Fofana, but Amorim could be boosted by the return of a key player.
Kobbie Mainoo makes Man United return ahead of Lyon clash
Amorim’s midfield has failed to really fire so far in the Portuguese’s tenure at Old Trafford, with Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte struggling to provide the creativity needed in a 3-4-2-1 setup for the Red Devils.
However, that could soon be set to change with the return of Mainoo, who has been through injury hell at Man United this season and missed as many games as he’s started under both Amorim and Erik ten Hag.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Games Missed |
| Kobbie Mainoo | 25 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 19 |
Sky Sports News posted on X (9 April) to report that Mainoo has been seen training at Carrington ahead of facing Lyon though, and has also been included in Amorim’s 23-man squad for Thursday’s match.
Mainoo being back in contention to feature – and soon back in the starting XI – gives Amorim options in the middle for arguably the first time in his tenure, and it remains to be seen how quickly he’ll return.
Man United fans react to ‘best in the world’ Mainoo return
Although Mainoo has continually been linked with a PSR-related transfer away from Old Trafford, his return to Amorim’s team will certainly provide the Portuguse with a boost in the here and now.
While some Man United fans accept potentially selling Mainoo as part of the club’s new financial reality, those on social media reacting his return were joyous, arguing that Mainoo is “the best in the world”.
Some supporters urged Amorim to give Mainoo “the keys to the operation” once he returns to full fitness, and suggested that the rest of the Premier League – who have accumulated 13 wins over United this season – “isn’t ready” for his comeback.
Seeing Kobbie Mainoo back was the jolt of excitement I’ve clearly been missing. Give him the keys to the operation
— MC Vic2x (@MCVic2x) April 9, 2025
I’ve missed Mainoo so badly. Hopefully when he’s fully fit Amorim just plays him and Casemiro together.
— 天蝎座 (@UtdEIIis) April 9, 2025
Stay calm the best in the world is back !
Kobbie Mainoo 💫 pic.twitter.com/fSb8D2rAuO
— baza__x☀️🇿🇦 (@Baza__x) April 9, 2025
So good to see Kobbie back ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aSoDsUYfQC
— (fan) Frank 🧠🇵🇹 (@AmorimEra_) April 9, 2025
YES!
🌟 Boy, Kobbie Mainoo is back 🟤❤️⚽️. https://t.co/hkKaAKA6mP
— Faizal Perager (@man18united) April 9, 2025
Good to see Mainoo back
— 🉐 (@KobbieEra) April 9, 2025
This is the kobbie mainoo we loved last season
— Vïbëz Milá (@MilaVIbezCFC) April 9, 2025
This was mainoo before his injury, they’re not ready for this comeback pic.twitter.com/vdwjr45tnp
— E (@utd_Eman) April 9, 2025
The post ‘Man United’s season is saved’ – fans react as ‘world’s best player’ set to return appeared first on Football Insider.
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