Sekou Kone sends 10-word message as Manchester United midfielder waits on Ruben Amorim decision

Sekou Kone was one of several Academy players to be named on the Manchester United bench to face Tottenham Hotspur on the weekend.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim faced a difficult task heading to North London on Sunday afternoon with only 12 first-team regulars available for selection.

A mixture of injury and illness had left United with minimal numbers and just one senior option – Victor Lindelöf – to come off the bench against Spurs.

New signing Ayden Heaven was also on the bench and joined by seven Academy starlets, including 17-year-old Chido Obi, who made his debut in the 1-0 defeat.

Sekou Kone was also included in his first matchday squad after joining the club in the summer from Mali club Guidars FC for a reported £1 million fee.

He has been working hard in the youth setup, with the original plan being to integrate him into Amorim’s squad from next season.

However, due to the absences of Christian Eriksen, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo, Amorim was only left with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as midfield options and so needed Kone as potential support.

While he didn’t come onto the pitch, Kone was grateful to receive his first taste of professional action in North London. He wrote on Instagram: “Thank God for my first call-up to the first team.”

Kone waiting on Amorim decision

United’s midfield situation could be improved by the time the Reds travel to Merseyside for their Saturday afternoon clash against Everton this weekend.

It has been claimed that Eriksen, Collyer and Ugarte could all return to the fold, although Mainoo is ruled out for a longer period of time.

However, Kone was not involved for the Under-21s or Under-18s this week, suggesting that he could still be in contention for a place in the squad against The Toffees.

Amorim has continuously mentioned that United’s midfield players need to be physically up to standards and that isn’t really the case for Casemiro or Eriksen.

Meanwhile, the Reds are also missing a clinical nature in the final third which could lead to Fernandes stepping back up into the front three.

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That could leave Amorim with a decision to make as to whether he keeps a young and talented player like Kone as an option off the bench. Despite his rawness, the 18-year-old would offer a similar energy and enthusiasm which has made Collyer popular with fans already.

United fans will likely find out whether Kone, or any other of the Academy starlets, are involved in the game on Friday, with the squad likely to travel the night before the early Saturday kick-off.

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