Sekou Kone set for delayed Manchester United debut | OneFootball

New Manchester United signing Sekou Kone could reportedly have to wait longer to make his Manchester United debut.

United announced the arrival of Kone last month from Guidars FC.

The club confirmed that the Mali youth international would initially be supported by the academy in an effort to afford him more time to settle into life in a new country.

It’s believed that United fended off significant interest from other clubs in Europe to land Kone.

A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that there is a plan to fast-track the teenager into older groups once he settles in, with his huge talent a main talking point within Carrington.

Indeed, Kone was named in United’s official 2024/25 Premier League squad list, meaning there is a chance he could play in the top flight this term if he impresses.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News has given a crucial update on Kone and indicated that the 18-year-old “could have to wait” for his maiden United appearance, beyond Saturday’s clash vs. Manchester City.

United’s U21s are poised to welcome City at Carrington this weekend but Kone is unlikely to be involved in proceedings.

Luckhurst does not reveal the exact reason why Kone will not be available for selection, although it could be that he is still getting used to life in England.

The newspaper adds, “The defensive midfielder has started training with the under 21s and is expected to make his first club appearance for the second string this calendar year.”

The report emphasises that Kone is not an academy recruit.

The midfield prospect is understood to have been scouted by United’s future talent at last year’s under-17s FIFA World Cup which saw Mali beat Argentina to claim a third-place finish in the tournament.

Kone was one of his side’s standout performers and was identified by multiple staff remembers as a “player of significant interest to monitor.”

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