Manchester United will gradually increase Kobbie Mainoo’s minutes as he works toward a full recovery from injury.

The Manchester Evening News reported in the summer that Mainoo had been told he’d be part of the first-team squad this season, and the kid impressed on the US tour before suffering an injury.

On July 26, Mainoo suffered an ankle injury against Real Madrid in Houston, and he made his comeback on Tuesday, starting for the Under-19s against F.C. Copenhagen at Leigh Sports Village.

Mainoo played the opening 45 minutes of that game before being replaced at halftime, which sources claimed was a pre-planned decision due to the club wanting to carefully manage his minutes following injury.

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Academy boss Travis Binnion was asked about Mainoo after the game and he spoke of the importance of building up his minutes.

“It’s important that he gets those minutes and he’ll feel a lot more confident after that,” Binnion told MUTV.

“I don’t know what’s in store for him over the next few weeks, but he’s going to try to keep building up now and hopefully get in and around that first-team squad and have an impact there.”

Binnion also praised Mainoo, Willy Kambwala and Dan Gore for playing against Copenhagen, despite not being fully fit.

“Great credit to Kobbie, Willy and Dan, as the sort of senior players today,” he added. “Dan got niggle on Friday and Willy got a sore foot, so for those lads to get through the 90 minutes after struggling with knocks and wanting to play, bodes well.”

The U21s play Fulham in the Premier League 2 on Friday night and Mainoo could be involved.