Kobbie Mainoo isn’t on Manchester United’s pre-season tour in LA as he rests after the Euros, but that didn’t stop the teenage midfielder turning up at the iconic Venice Beach while on holiday here.
Mainoo was a guest of Venice Beach FC, a club that built a soccer court for kids to play on the beach and has grown to such an extent that they now have Nike sponsorship. The United star was following in the footsteps of Ronaldinho, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga.
Mainoo, wearing his trademark bucket hat, was presented with his own custom-made shirt. He posed for photos and signed autographs before taking part in a kickabout on the beach with local youngsters.
Afterwards Mainoo took part in a Q&A session and had a valuable message for the kids. ‘If you’re not winning you’re learning,’ he said. ‘I’ve just came off a big one at the Euros final and you have to work hard to make sure these opportunities come around again and you take them next time. Take them on the chin. They hurt for a bit but you have to use them as fuel for next time.’
Asked about his meteoric rise for United and England, Mainoo added: ‘It’s crazy. From (his full debut in) November, to playing for England, to the Euros, it’s all happened so quickly. I take it one step at a time.’
Kobbie Mainoo was a guest at Venice Beach FC as he took time out from his holiday in the US
Mainoo isn’t on Manchester United’s pre-season tour in LA as he rests after the Euros
Mainoo starred at Euro 2024, emerging as a starter as England lost to Spain in the final
Mainoo and the other players involved in the Euros and Copa America – Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Joshua Zirkzee, Alejandro Garnacho, Lisandro Martinez, Altay Bayindir and Facundo Pellistri – will report for pre-season training at Carrington rather than join the rest of the squad in the US because there is only a week of the tour remaining.
Patched-up stars sweat it out
Manchester United's stars were measured for fluid loss in training in Los Angeles on Sunday with special sweat patches strapped to their arms.
Fuelling and hydration are analysed even more closely on tour, with United’s physical performance team developing individual strategies to support each player in their preparations for games throughout the season.
As United’s players returned to training at the UCLA campus following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium, they were measured during training using the sweat patches.
Man United's stars were measured for fluid loss in training in LA with special sweat patches
The results will help identify the best matchday hydration strategy for each individual player
The results will help the performance team to identify the best matchday hydration strategy for each individual player as they build up to the start of the season.
The squad had a day off on Monday. A group played golf, some went shopping at Rodeo Drive and others headed to the beach.
Onana’s charity saves lives
While Andre Onana is busy preparing for the new season on tour with United, the Cameroon goalkeeper’s charitable foundation continues to provide crucial medical help for people in need in the country’s capital Yaounde.
The foundation has just staged its fourth Surgical Campaign in collaboration with the ASAF Foundation, led by Eran Moas, Cameroon’s Ministry of Health, the Fua Toula Kadji Defosso Foundation, Retice Africa, Bisturi Solidario and Spain-based Surgeons in Action.
Andre Onana's charitable foundation in his home nation of Cameroon continues to provide crucial medical help for people in need in the country’s capital Yaounde
Over the course of 13 days, 350 people had surgery at the Hospital of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Paediatrics in Yaounde that saved their lives or significantly improved their quality of life. The 11-strong mission included anaesthetists, paediatric surgeons and nurses, along with healthcare personnel from Yaounde and volunteers from the Andre Onana Foundation.
Onana said: ‘I am proud that the foundation continues to develop projects to improve the lives of all Cameroonians. My commitment to my country remains strong.’
Lindelof back in action
Victor Lindelof resumed training with the rest of the squad on Sunday after missing the Arsenal defeat.
The Sweden defender was the only outfield player not available to manager Erik ten Hag at the SoFi Stadium, having picked up a minor knock.
But United’s injury worries deepened after little more than half an hour of their 2-1 defeat as Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro limped off injured.
While Hojlund’s injury is not thought to be too serious, there is more concern over Yoro who was playing only his second game for United following a £59million move from Lille. Ten Hag must hope it isn’t a sign of things to come after his squad was decimated by injury last season with nearly 70 separate cases recorded.
Victor Lindelof resumed training with the rest of the squad in Los Angeles on Sunday
Wes rides into town
Former United defender Wes Brown, out here on tour as a club ambassador, met with 60 children from socially deprived areas of LA as part of United's tie-up with Compton Cowboys - a community outreach programme that teaches youngsters to ride and keep horses.
United have connected Compton Cowboys with Street Soccer USA and the Manchester United Foundation, and will continue to develop a strategic partnership and share ways of educating young people through sport from underprivileged backgrounds.
Former United defender Wes Brown (sat on horse), out here on tour as a club ambassador, met with 60 children from socially deprived areas of LA
SoFi so good for reporters
Reporters were given a guided tour of the SoFi Stadium on Sunday, 24 hours after Gabriel Martinelli’s late strike had clinched Arsenal’s victory over United here.
The incredible arena and surrounding Hollywood Park area has been funded by Arsenal and LA Rams owner Stan Kroenke. ‘Stan paid $5billion – as he keeps reminding me!’ joked the Mayor of Inglewood, James T Butts Jnr.
The grass pitch will be discarded after what was only the seventh football game staged here. There will be plenty more matches at the World Cup in two years’ time including a semi-final after the SoFi narrowly lost out on hosting the final to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey where United played Arsenal last summer.
The 70,000-seater capacity stadium will be adapted into a 38,000-capacity swimming venue for the LA Olympics in 2028, the largest in Games history. Here’s another fact for you: the SoFi Stadium roof sign weighs nearly the same as three killer whales.