Manchester United are ready to unleash academy midfielder Sekou Kone before the end of the season to address Ruben Amorim’s labouring engine room, according to reports. The 19-year-old is on the verge of a first-team debut after featuring on the bench in last Sunday’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.
United beat rival Premier League interest to sign Kone from Malian outfit Guidars in the summer for a fee in excess of £1million.
The Red Devils have managed his adaptation in England carefully, handing him six games for the Under-21s and Under-18s across the Premier League 2, EFL Trophy and the FA Youth Cup.
Kone was among the seven academy stars who sat on United’s bench at Spurs last time out, but only Chido Obi made it onto the pitch in stoppage time.
Yet, Kone’s time to shine could be on the horizon, with Amorim’s depleted midfield options forcing him to give Casemiro his first Premier League minutes last weekend.
Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer missed the trip to north London with minor injuries, Mason Mount has been sidelined for an extended period, and Christian Eriksen was ill.
Kobbie Mainoo will also miss around six weeks of action after suffering a muscular injury during a nightmare build-up to the Spurs clash, in which an injury also ended Amad’s season.
According to GIVEMESPORT, there is confidence at United that Kone will thrive at the centre of Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.
There were original plans to offer the Mali youth international an opportunity to impress in pre-season. However, he has earned Amorim’s trust and is now in line for an earlier breakthrough.
The United head coach reportedly opted against introducing Kone against Spurs because he didn’t believe the environment was right as the visitors chased an equaliser.
But Amorim’s decision to include Kone in his matchday squad is considered a significant step towards his senior bow in the coming weeks and months.
The report adds that there is optimism within the walls of Old Trafford that the teenager is better equipped to adapt to Premier League football than Collyer, who debuted this season.
Kone could be thrown in as early as Saturday when United visit Goodison Park for the final time to face a rejuvenated Everton side under David Moyes.
Mainoo earned some of his first senior minutes at Everton last season and went on to establish himself as a key player for Erik ten Hag.
By the time the England international returns to action, his fellow 19-year-old maestro could be among the options to partner in midfield.
And Kone is unlikely to be the only academy talent to earn his senior bow between now and the end of the season.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk