On the same day that Manchester United confirmed Sekou Kone’s place in their official Premier League roster, two more youngsters officially became Red Devils.
Ineos’ attempted overhaul of Manchester United both on and off the pitch has seen a real emphasis being placed on the long-term.
Hence why the 13-time Premier League champions – in addition to making Manuel Ugarte the fifth member of their first-team summer transfer influx – United spent the off-season also chasing the best teenage talent on the market.
And that does not just mean the soon-to-be returning Leny Yoro.
Manchester United land Sekou Kone and Chido Ob-Martin
Sekou Kone, a rangy, highly technical 18-year-old midfielder who was named in the Team of the Tournament at the 2023 Under 17 African Cup of Nations, was unveiled as a member of Man United’s 25-man league squad on Friday.
The expectation is that, while Kone will initially play for the club’s reserves, there could be a few first-team outings dotted around. Perhaps starting with next week’s EFL Cup clash with Barnsley.
Man United also snapped up goalkeeper Hubert Graczyk following his departure from Arsenal.
Goalscoring sensation Chido Obi-Martin will follow in Graczyk’s footsteps at some point, though it remains to be seen when with a potential court date in the offing before he can officially become a Man United player.
The wait is over, at least, for two other teenage talents who can now officially call themselves Manchester United players.
The club’s website has now confirmed that both James Overy and Samuel Lusale have put pen to paper and are now free to begin their new lives at Carrington.
Overy, a 17-year-old full-back who can play on both flanks, arrives from Perth Glory in his native Australia.
“Very much of an attacking wingback, suited to today’s modern game where the fullback spends most of their time in the opponent’s half,” former coach Marc Revell tells the Mid Devon Advertiser, likening Overy to such luminaries as Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Tottenham Hotspur’s Pedro Porro.
“He’s had offers from Everton, West Ham and Manchester United. Also, being given a four-year deal shows what United see in him.”
Samuel Lusale and James Overy join United
Lusale, meanwhile, has gone under the radar to an extent. Yet, those in the know in youth team scouting circles will tell you that he belongs alongside Obi-Martin and Kone when discussing the most exciting of United’s recent wonderkid signings.
The twinkle-toed winger joins from Crystal Palace.
Academy Scoop reports United beat Borussia Dortmund and two Premier League clubs to his signature, with Lusale recently showcasing his dazzling potential with a goal and an assist for Slovakia against Wales’ Under 18 side in the September international break.
As for Obi-Martin, Man United will hope to conclude his signing too in the coming weeks.
The Under 18 Premier League Golden Boot winner after scoring a staggering 28 times in his final nine matches of the season, Obi-Martin’s coach for the Denmark youth team believes some clarity will soon be forthcoming.
“He was – and is – in between jobs. Right now, he doesn’t have a club, but it’s only a matter of time (before he does),” Martin Eskesen tells Tipsbladet. A lot happens in the transfer window. We know what he stands for. He has scored a lot of goals.”
“His greatest quality is that he scores many goals. If you saw some of the goals at the (Under 17) European Championships, he’s a really good finisher.
“He is also good one-on-one. He is good at running in behind and getting into positions. His finishing skills are what allow him to score so many goals. One (thing) is to get the chances. Number two is to score.
“There, he is above average and that is what makes him so interesting.”
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