Manchester United fans are allowed to be optimistic as Ruben Amorim leads his team to their first pre-season under this management, and one wonderkid is certainly feeling it.
The pre-season is the best time for youngsters to make a mark, especially this season, because Man Utd are not in any European competitions to clog the fixture list.
As such, it is quite possible that only those who make themselves undeniable in pre-season retain the opportunity to stay in and around the first-team squad.
One wonderkid, whose immediate future at the club is under the scanner, has sent a strong message ahead of the first pre-season game.
Sekou Kone sends strong message
The post-season tour at the end of 2024/25 was a necessary inconvenience for many at Old Trafford, but Sekou Kone took that opportunity with both hands and ran with it.
Kone impressed in both games and stood out as one of the top prospects, validating his signing from Mali as a raw 18-year-old.
However, with the 2025/26 season approaching, the expectation is that Kone will follow Enzo Kana-Biyik in moving to Switzerland with FC Lausanne on loan.
Kone’s loan to Lausanne looked as good as done, but this pre-season provides him with an opportunity to tell Ruben Amorim that he’s ready to contribute, especially since Amorim is looking to sign a midfielder.
He has started off on the right foot by sending a strong message on Instagram, promising that the ‘best days’ are arriving soon, while stressing the need to be patient.
He said, “The best day will come soon [inshallah] as long as we are patient. God it’s one.” He added pictures of himself in first-team training to go with the post.
Dan Gore, who sealed a move to Rotherham recently, responded with a white heart emoji, while Tyler Fredricson, Man Utd’s newest wonderkid, sent two fire emojis.
Kone’s fate is in his hands
Kone’s growth since coming from Mali as a frail teenager has been remarkable to see, and it’s a testament to his hard work and professionalism.
He already looks twice the player that he arrived as, at least physically, and his gifts on the ball were clear from day one anyway.
The pre-season is a crucial time for many, but for Kone, it could quite literally change his whole career trajectory.
There are too many unknowns that surround a loan move, and Kone’s playing style is that of a player who looks much better when his team dominates the ball.
That might not happen at Lausanne all the time, but playing with better players as the favourite should be right up Kone’s alley. It’s a scenario more likely at United than at Lausanne.
Impressing on the pre-season tour will take that unknown out of the equation. After all, you need to be at the club to have a chance of breaking through!
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
