Manchester United youngster Enzo Kana-Biyik is getting a taste of first team action out on loan at Lausanne.
Ineos‘ investment in Manchester United has led to multiple changes at the club, with investment in a new training ground, and plans unveiled for a new stadium.
It has also opened up the possibility of using the transfer market more smartly, with Ineos owning majority stakes in French club Nice and Swiss side Lausanne.
UEFA plans blocked a move for Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo in 2024, meaning the first move between two Ineos clubs involved Enzo Kana-Biyik.
How Enzo Kana-Biyik is doing on loan
Manchester United struck a deal for Enzo Kana-Biyik in the summer window, signing him from Paul Pogba’s former club in France, Le Havre.
Kana-Biyik was presented at Carrington at the start of July, ahead of being immediately sent out on loan to Lausanne before United’s pre-season began.
The youngster played in a friendly game, before suffering an injury that has delayed him making an appearance in the team’s Europa Conference League qualifiers.
There were fears in Switzerland that Kana-Biyik’s injury was ‘severe’, and while it cost him playing time, he has been able to make a relatively swift return.
Kana-Biyik was made his return to action on August 31, playing 14 minutes in a league game against St Gallen.
The teenager has now made six total appearances for Lausanne, and has failed to get on the scoresheet.
However, of these six games, five have been as a substitute, which have averaged 21 minutes per appearance.
The one exception was when he played 60 minutes as a starter in Lausanne’s 1-1 draw against Lugano. He had 28 touches during the game but failed to have a shot at goal and was substituted.
Since then he has been back on the bench, hoping to earn another shot as a starter.
Ineos deal expected to be first of several, new pathway established
Six appearances and no goals are not headline figures, but there is reason for Manchester United to be positive about Enzo Kana-Biyik’s stint.
Firstly it should be noted that Kana-Biyik is just 18, and the fact he is playing games at all is something to shout about.
Already he has proven that the Manchester United to Lausanne pathway works. Now the rest is down to him to make it a success.
Kana-Biyik could be the first of many young Manchester talents to make the connection.
It could be already-existing United academy players needing minutes, or it could be players like Kana-Biyik who are signed with this pathway already in mind.
The better he performs, the more chance there is of repeat deals.
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