Manchester United must take note of the injury to Barcelona midfielder Gavi, as the club plot a path forward for their own midfield wonderkid.

The accumulation of games is creating an injury crisis across Europe's top leagues, and it is not just Manchester United impacted.

Barcelona have been rocked by the news star youngster Gavi has suffered a torn ACL, while on international duty with Spain.

The Guardian report Gavi will misss the rest of the season and likely Euro 2024. In addition to the physical pain which required surgery, the midfielder is said to be mentally broken by the blow.

Gavi game time is almost 10,000 minutes A torn ACL injury can happen to anybody at anytime, however, many have feared that Gavi was due to break down at some stage to to the sheer amount of high level football he has been exposed to at a young age.

This season alone Gavi has played 999 minutes for Barcelona, the second highest in the squad.

He is only 19-years-old, and already he has played a remarkable volume of first team football. In addition to his 27 games for Spain, Gavi has played 111 first team matches for Barcelona.

Playing in central midfield too, a physically demanding position, he has played a staggering 7,786 minutes for Barcelona and 1,781 minutes for Spain already. That is 9,567 minutes before he even reaches 20.

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The young midfielder made his debut last season at 17, but started only once. He impressed in pre-season before suffering an injury, and has recently made the first team bench.

Amid a succession of injuries in the first team, Mainoo is expected to play some role over the next couple of months. And if he gets his chance, Mainoo has the talent to take it.

But there is a lesson with Gavi's recent fate. Manchester United must not get carried away, and must continue to utilise Mainoo sensibly. The fact he has not been rushed into the first team since his return, is an encouraging sign.

Gavi may bounce back, but you wonder how much damage has been done to his career long term already. Michael Owen is a player who admitted he played too much football too young. By time Manchester United signed him, he was a shadow of the player he once was.

If Manchester United's coaching staff can manage Mainoo's development carefully, he has a better chance of a lengthier career, instead of being pushed to the brink where his body gives way, like with Gavi.