Man Utd must perform U-turn over Sekou Kone decision as wonderkid nears injury comeback

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Manchester United midfielder Sekou Kone looked set for a breakout season under Ruben Amorim, but things haven’t gone as planned.

The Malian midfielder was signed by Ineos in 2024 for a fee of just £1m, one of the first bargain lottery signings made since Sir Jim Ratcliffe took charge of footballing operations.

When Sekou Kone signed, there was a lot of intrigue over the kind of player he was, with Manchester United beating Barcelona to sign him, which demonstrates how highly regarded he was.

Kone had a solid debut season for United, developing well and impressing at the U21 level to earn senior opportunities. This saw Kone play for United’s first team during the post-season tour, impressing with his intensity.

The 19-year-old was expected to have a big 2025/26; however, an injury has hindered his chances.

Sekou Kone is nearing a return from injury at Manchester United

The season started for Kone with the U21s, but it didn’t last long.

This is because, in mid-August, Kone was stretchered off for United with an injury sustained in the National League Cup with the U21s.

According to the Daily Mail, Kone is now on the road to recovery from his fractured eye socket injury, which derailed his season.

Kone, being close to a return, will likely see him back in the U21s, building up his match fitness having missed two months, virtually the entire season thus far.

With Kone, United will hope he can build some momentum over the next month or two, because come January, there is a decision to be made.

• READ: MUTV pundit says Man Utd wonderkid is ‘similar to Kobbie Mainoo’, he just had his breakout game

Kone must be sent on loan in January

Since joining United, Kone has developed physically and also in terms of his understanding of the game, which means he is ready to be thrust into first-team action.

However, this is unlikely to be at United right now, and therefore, a loan in January might be Kone’s best option, which would mean Ineos doing a U-turn over the decision to deny him a loan in the summer.

United considered a loan for Kone in the summer, with Lausanne mentioned as one option; however, ultimately, it was decided he would remain at Carrington to continue growing and potentially even contend for a place in Amorim’s team.

However, Kone needs first-team football, and so a loan to Europe or even to the Championship would be perfect to accelerate his evolution as a midfielder.