Manchester United found some rhythm and encouragement in their first game of the pre-season tour to the USA, but one wonderkid will be left scratching his head.
It was pretty much along the expected lines that not many Man Utd youngsters would get a sustained run in the first team with fewer games to be played.
That was reflected in Ruben Amorim’s travelling squad as well, with the likes of Harry Amass and Radek Vitek not travelling so they could finalise loan moves.
One player who was set to go on loan was instead asked to stay back and travelled with the team in a boost to his prospects. Two games into the pre-season, the validity of that boost has become questionable.
Sekou Kone has received zero minutes for Man Utd
The caveat is that it’s just two games so far, but the optics for Sekou Kone don’t look too good, all things considered.
Kone’s remarkable transformation since arriving at Old Trafford probably played a part in the club cancelling the Lausanne loan prepared for him.
Instead, he travelled with the squad to the USA, hoping to repeat the heroics of the post-season tour in 2024/25.
However, he has now failed to come off the bench in both games, which is worrying because against Leeds, pretty much everyone got a chance.
Reece Munro and Godwill Kukonki are further behind the breakout line due to Man Utd’s rich defensive options, but Kone warmed the bench while the likes of Jack Fletcher received minutes in both games.
Along with Reece Munro, Kukonki, Ethan Williams and third-choice goalkeeper Dermot Mee, Kone is one of the few to not have played a single minute this pre-season.
Considering Williams was a last-minute call-up and Mee will likely never play for the club, that is not a company Kone would want to keep, since he was tipped for a breakout at the start of the season.
Ruben Amorim should unleash Kone
Amorim not using Kone is baffling because his own transfer demand to Ineos was for more intensity and athleticism in midfield.
Kone can be the solution to that dilemma, and there will never be a better time to test him than in friendly matches against Premier League opposition.
If he proves himself up to the task, United might genuinely save themselves millions in the market and pave the way for the Malian youngster to break out.
Kone plays a position United want additions in, and his playing style aligns with the profile United are looking for.
If anything, he should have been a solid part of the “second team” in the game, especially after he impressed on the post-season tour.
There is still time as United will play two more games in the USA before a friendly at Old Trafford, but the pre-season hasn’t got off to the best of starts for Kone who looked prime for a big season.
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