Kobbie Mainoo has been ruled out of Manchester United's Premier League clash against Leeds United on Monday night after Michael Carrick confirmed the midfielder has an 'issue'
19:36, 13 Apr 2026
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United warms up ahead of the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at Vitality Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Zohaib Alam - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Kobbie Mainoo misses Manchester United clash against Leeds(Image: Zohaib Alam - MUFC, Manchester United via Getty Images)
Kobbie Mainoo has been ruled out of Manchester United's clash with Leeds United on Monday.
The 20-year-old had featured in United's last 10 fixtures since Michael Carrick took charge as interim boss in mid-January and has shone in a midfield partnership with Casemiro.
However, Mainoo will sit out the Leeds encounter after sustaining a minor knock during training. United felt it wasn't worth the gamble of including the midfielder in the squad, with Manuel Ugarte stepping in to replace him in the starting XI.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, shakes hands with Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United after the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at Vitality Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick opened up on Kobbie Mainoo's absence against Leeds (Image: Ryan Pierse, Getty Images)
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Speaking about Mainoo's omission in his pre-match chat, Carrick told Sky Sports: "Over the last day or so, Kobbie just had an issue in training. So it seems small but big enough to keep him out tonight. It wasn't worth the risk, to be honest, so we're hoping it's pretty small."
Alongside Mainoo, Bryan Mbeumo, Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot are the other players who have been dropped from the XI following the 2-2 stalemate at Bournemouth last time out, with Carrick making four alterations.
Benjamin Sesko has been drafted into the side in attack, while Maguire's ban has paved the way for Lisandro Martinez to return from injury and Dalot has been swapped for Noussair Mazraoui.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James' Park on March 04, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Bryan Mbeumo starts on the bench (Image: Alex Livesey - Danehouse, Getty Images)
Martinez's previous United outing came against West Ham on February 10, with the centre-back picking up an injury ahead of the triumph over Everton later that month. He was sidelined for five Premier League games, but returned to full training last week and has been thrust straight back into the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, Mbeumo withdrew from international duty with Cameroon as a precautionary measure. He participated in full training during a camp in the Republic of Ireland last week, but Carrick has selected him on the bench for the first time.
United have the opportunity to extend their lead over sixth-place Chelsea to 10 points with a victory against Leeds. This would provide them with a significant boost in their quest to secure qualification for next season's Champions League.
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