Why is Kobbie Mainoo Not In Man United Starting XI? Reasons Revealed

English star Kobbie Mainoo is not playing for Manchester United against Atletico Madrid because he is out with a lower back injury for matchday 2 in the UEFA Champions League. The midfielder suffered the injury during the EPL club's meeting against Tottenham Hotspur in matchweek 6, which ended in a 1-1 draw. His absence is therefore related to an injury, and he will be unavailable for Man United in the coming weeks of the 2026/27 campaign. The main reason Kobbie Mainoo is not playing against Inter is a lower back injury.

Why Is Kobbie Mainoo Not Playing Against Atletico Madrid?

The England national football team international was taken off during Man United's English Premier League clash against Tottenham after he was in some visible discomfort. Michael Carrick has subsequently revealed that Mainoo didn't travel with the squad and no official timeframe has been provided on his return.

That means Mainoo is unavailable when Man United face a challenging away meeting against Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Tuesday, October 13. UEFA's official Matchday 2 team-news listing confirms the midfielder was absent from United's starting XI.

The pair of Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba are starting for the Red Devils in what will be an early test of their UCL credentials. Youri Tielemans has also been tested in an advanced No. 10 role, with Bruno Fernandes being used on the right. The expectation is that an United will be using a Diamond Formation to disrupt Diego Simeone and Los Rojiblancos, who have won their last four games.