Mbappe had an MRI scan on his knee on December 31 and cut the recommended length of unavailability in half by playing eleven days later in the Supercopa final, which Los Blancos lost to their arch-rivals Barca in what would be the final nail in the coffin for former head coach Xabi Alonso. New boss Alvaro Arbeloa has fared no better thus far, losing 3-2 to second division outfit Albacete in the Copa del Rey in a highly concerning opening match in charge on Wednesday, with Mbappe absent from the squad.
