As Ruben Amorim grapples with getting Manchester United’s season back on track after an underwhelming start, Sekou Kone could just be the surprise fix the head coach needs to solve his biggest challenge.
United’s midfield issues persist
United’s midfield problems have been widely noted in the season’s opening stages, ranking alongside goalkeeping errors as the team’s biggest concern.
The Red Devils have so far demonstrated an inability to control games and dominate in the middle of the park, which the likes of Arsenal, Fulham, Grimsby Town and Burnley have all capitalised on to cause them all sorts of problems.
Heading into deadline day, The Peoples Person underlined why securing a top-quality midfielder was crucial for United.
True to form, United ended the window without a midfield addition, instead confirming the signing of goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp along with several player departures.
So, the glaring gap in midfield remains for now, though Amorim might possess an unexpected answer he hasn’t fully considered – Sekou Kone.
Kone could be Amorim’s secret weapon
Kone has made great strides at United since joining last summer from Malian side Guidars FC. United forked out slightly north of £1million to snap up the talented midfielder, who initially drew attention with his exceptional performances at the U17 World Cup.
While United have been cautious in managing Kone’s transition to his new environment, he has slotted in smoothly and embraced English football with relative ease. Such has been his impact in the youth setup that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to temper the growing hype around his abilities.
Kone was selected for United’s post-season Asia tour, where he delivered superb showings against ASEAN All-Stars and Hong Kong. Even among seasoned professionals, he still stood out with his graceful and silky style of play.
The 19-year-old is currently sidelined with an injury picked up last month, but he may yet prove to be the missing piece in United’s puzzle.
A dynamic defensive midfielder, Kone offers the athleticism, intelligence, and ball progression skills that could address a clear gap in Amorim’s squad. Much like Kobbie Mainoo, Kone demonstrates exceptional press resistance and refined technique, which make him look a class apart whenever he’s on the ball.
Kone also covers ground well, which is something Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro lack, while Manuel Ugarte doesn’t offer at a high enough level. The youngster is a mobile force who can effectively operate in different areas of the pitch to great effect.
For one so young and still finding their feet in professional football, Kone displays impressive reading of the game, enabling him to dictate tempo and often position himself a step or two ahead of the opposition. His passing and vision are top-class and he has also shown that he has a few goals in him.
Whether Kone is ready for such a giant step-up is anyone’s guess, but he could very well be Amorim’s get-out-of-jail-free card in terms of the Portuguese coach’s midfield dilemma.
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
