Man Utd think academy wonderkid has ‘real first-team potential’ under Ruben Amorim, his debut could be imminent

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Manchester United’s academy is filled to the brim with talented youngsters who are currently battling for the right to become graduate number 255.

The link between Manchester United’s academy and the first team is a massive part of the club’s history, and under Ruben Amorim is no different.

United have a rich tradition of using the academy, which Amorim also did when he was manager of Sporting CP, which likely played a role in convincing Ineos he was the right man for the job.

Not only is the academy pivotal to the club, but so is the history of signing talented young players to turn into superstars, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

• READ MORE: Manchester United transfer history 2013 to present day

This is a recruitment policy that Ineos is looking to implement at United with Diego Leon, Leny Yoro, and Patrick Dorgu, some of the young players signed by United recently for fees which could look like bargains in the future.

However, it is another talent that has been picked out as a young player, the club is expecting to achieve greatness.

• READ MORE: Manchester United’s Best Academy Players of All Time

Manchester United think Sekou Kone is the real deal

Sekou Kone was a talent to arrive in Ineos’ opening window in a £1m deal from FC Guidars in Mali, and already it looks like an absolute bargain for United.

The Mali youngster has been involved in several squads for Amorim and countless training sessions, which all suggest that he is on the agenda of the head coach for a debut.

Now, according to the Mail Online, it has been revealed what the club is currently thinking about Kone.

It is claimed that behind the scenes at United, the club see Kone as having ‘real first-team potential’, clearly being impressed by the midfielder in his early United career so far.

Continuing, it is added that Kone is seen as having the potential to be one of the two deep-lying midfielders within Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, similar to where Casemiro plays currently.

Kone has been tipped as a Casemiro replacement for the future, and while he is yet to debut, he is among the players best positioned should Amorim look to play a rotated side in the coming Premier League games.

• READ: Manchester United agree deal to sign Sekou Kone, wonderkid compared to Michael Essien

Sekou Kone should be in line for debut this season

United’s season is all but finished, with only the Europa League left to play for amid an utterly atrocious domestic campaign. This, however, should open the door for debutants, with Amorim even admitting he would take risks with the youth.

In this case, if there is further rotation to come in the final three league fixtures this summer, Kone should absolutely be in line to play. Kone would, however, not be an academy graduate as he only joined the club aged 18 and has only ever played U21 football.

It was a signal of his ambition to play the teenager when Amorim took Kone to Bilbao last week despite his ineligibility to actually play, which must have been because his debut is imminent.

There has been plenty of praise for Kone from U21 head coach Travis Binnion, which indicates he is impressing all the correct people right now and just needs to get that chance, which he likely will this season.

Against Aston Villa, after the Europa League final, it would not be a shock if Amorim named the U21s instead of his first team.