Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has admitted that he is unsure of the extent of the injury that Kobbie Mainoo suffered during Wednesday's pre-season friendly with Real Madrid.
The 18-year-old was handed his fourth straight start of the summer in Texas, as the Red Devils continued their preparations for the new campaign with a clash against the European heavyweights.
However, Mainoo only lasted six minutes of the contest, with the midfielder picking up an ankle injury when Rodrygo fell onto him after being brought down by Casemiro.
The teenager was pictured on crutches and wearing a protective boot after the match, but Ten Hag has said that it is currently unclear how long he will be out of action.
"I understand the question," Ten Hag told reporters at his post-match press conference. "But you can never tell straight after a game. We have to wait for what it is.
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"So, hopefully, it's not too bad and then chances will come. I wanted to see what levels he could play. Against Arsenal, we were pleased with his performance.
"I wanted to see if he could repeat that, some days after, from then, we would have conclusions. First, we have to wait for the diagnosis and, from there on, we will set conclusions."
Speaking to MUTV, former Man United striker Danny Webber claimed that Mainoo could now be out for anywhere between one week to eight weeks.
"Rodrygo has gone through quickly and he's just fallen on Kobbie," he said after the clash. "He seems to have done his ankle, somewhere around there.
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"There was no malice at all. He was in the right place to make the stop, if Rodrygo does get through, so it's just unfortunate. It depends on the extent [of the damage], if it's the inside or outside or the ligaments, we don't know.
"The physio will have a look at it and it could range from one week to eight weeks. I'm enthused by the fact he walked off the pitch so I'd like to think it's not as bad."
Meanwhile, ex-Man United forward Andy Cole added: "I'm devastated for him. You know why I'm devastated? It was an opportunity for a young man to show his skills against someone like Luka Modric and, when he came off, you could see how bitterly disappointed he was because how many opportunities do you get to play against someone like Modric in midfield?
"I'm devastated for the young lad but he's going to have plenty more fights to fight. Unfortunately, tonight wasn't his night."
Jude Bellingham sent Real Madrid ahead in the early stages of the pre-season clash before Joselu scored a spectacular over-head kick in the latter stages of the contest.
Matt Law
