To say that Man Utd are short on midfielders going into the pre-season would be an understatement, and they’ve now made a decision on Sekou Kone.
It’s been two years since Sekou Kone joined Man Utd as an 18-year-old as a raw but exciting midfield prospect.
Since then, he has just a couple of post-season tour first-team minutes to show at Old Trafford, having spent time with the academy and on loan last season.
Ahead of this season, when Man Utd can count on Mason Mount as the sole “defensive” midfielder at the club, they’ve made a decision on Kone, which already has him in action.
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Man Utd continue Sekou Kone arrangement
Kone spent the second half of the last season on loan at Ineos-owned Lausanne Sport, a spell which was mixed, to put it politely.
He wasn’t registered for European competitions, and there were only glimpses of his potential when he played in the league.
Everyone acknowledged that the club should have platformed him better, while Kone also needed to do more to impress the Swiss team.
However, United clearly saw some promising signs, because they’ve elected to continue this arrangement.
Kone has already made an appearance for Lausanne Sport as they ramp up their preparation for the season, playing the second half of the 1-0 win against Étoile Carouge.
With just one start and six appearances in the league last season, totalling a meagre 134 minutes, playing 45 minutes in their pre-season fixture is a promising start for the Malian.
Kone faces make-or-break season at Lausanne
United have opted to let Kone have continuity, which could develop as a masterstroke because he’s now acclimatised to the league and the club.
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Furthermore, he’s getting a full pre-season with a senior team now, having spent the first six months of last season at Carrington with the academy.
That should do a world of good for his preparation and physicality, an area where he has been found lacking.
He needs to make the most of this loan continuing, because at 20, the time is running out for him to break out and separate himself from the pack.
Establishing himself as a bona-fide first-team player in the Swiss First Division would be a great start, a mission which looks on track after 45 minutes in their pre-season friendly.
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