Manchester United might be about to unleash their new defensive midfielder
Man Utd have embarked on their pre-season tour of the US and one teenager could shine in particular.
Manchester United are in the United States as they prepare to ramp up their pre-season schedule later this week. Ruben Amorim has named a 32-man squad for their three matches in the Premier League Summer Series and will hope to have a better idea of his strongest line up by the time they return.
Even though several youngsters have been included in the tour squad, there are just a few who appear to have genuine first-team ambitions next season. Andre Onana will start in goal when he is fit, the back three will compromise of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and either Noussair Mazraoui or Ayden Heaven.
The wing-backs will be selected from Diogo Dalot, Amad Diallo and Patrick Dorgu. Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are all certain to start. Chido Obi could well benefit from Rasmus Hojlund's struggles in attack, but Sekou Kone could well be the youngster who shines the brightest this summer.
A midfield opening
Manchester United hope to sign a dynamic defensive midfielder in the summer window as Ruben Amorim searches for a suitable long-term partner for Bruno Fernandes. The club captain is expected to predominately occupy a deeper midfield role following the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in attack, though there are concerns about who will do the dirty work required to make the side function.
At his best, Casemiro is still the man for the job, but it was telling that his best performances came in European competition last season and he still struggled in the Premier League. That doesn't bode well ahead of a campaign which only consists of domestic football. Manuel Ugarte showed glimpses of promise during his debut campaign, and it is still early days, but it was alarming just how limited his passing was.
Kobbie Mainno appears better-suited to an attacking role and although Toby Collyer boasts impressive physical attributes, he perhaps lacks the technicality to be a regular in midfield right now. That is of course going to sound hypocritical when Sekou Kone is suggested as another option for the role, but he is arguably the only midfielder at the club who has displayed the crucial combination of fitness and finesse.
The 19-year-old still has a lot of work to do if he is to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League, but that is why this pre-season schedule against three typical midtable sides could be perfect for him. Kone impressed during the post-season tour of Asia and deserves the chance to showcase his development with a significant opportunity over the coming weeks.
It must be stressed United still hope to sign a defensive midfielder this summer, but with the position behind adding a striker and a goalkeeper in the pecking order, there is a realistic chance they won't manage to address it. United have already changed their plans to send Kone out on loan after he impressed Ruben Amorim and his staff in training and it could prove to be a masterstroke amid their search.
Until they sign a clear improvement on what they've already got, they might as well give a chance to someone who they've not seen enough of yet.
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