Manchester United wonderkid makes statement ahead of huge January decision
The Man Utd youngster caught the eye on international duty ahead of a possible exit in the January transfer window.
Manchester United youngster Sekou Kone continued his impressive return to action as he netted a brace while away on international duty.
The 19-year-old has been building up his fitness after he fractured his eye socket back in August and was sidelined for over two months of the season. After such a long absence, Kone returned to the pitch when he played the final seconds of United's victory over Notts County in the EFL Trophy earlier in the month.
Kone was also permitted to feature for Mali at youth level over the current break and was named in their U23 squad for two friendly matches against Indonesia. He played half an hour from the bench in the first match over the weekend, while he was handed a start in the second match on Tuesday.
The United youngster opened the scoring when he fired in from close range after a low cross into the box. Indonesia U23s scored twice to turn the game on its head, before Kone levelled the scores in the second half with a smart finish in a one-on-one situation. It was a bright display and one that reaffirmed the obvious talent of the teenager ahead of a possible loan exit next year.
Sekou Kone could leave on loan
Manchester United completed the signing of Sekou Kone from Malian side Guidars FC on the transfer deadline day of the summer window last year, for an initial fixed fee in the region of £1.2 million, with a number of performance-related add-ons also included. He was named on the first-team bench three times last season for Premier League away matches against Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Nottingham Forest.
Kone featured for United in their post-season tour of Asia and was named in their pre-season tour squad of the US, but did not play in any of the matches. United scrapped plans to send the teenager on loan to Lausanne-Sport in the summer but could consider any approaches made for him ahead of the January window as he looks to make up for lost time.
The Mali youth international is in an odd position where he is effectively the fifth-choice midfielder at senior level despite the fact that he has never made his competitive debut for the club. Due to United's reduced fixture schedule, he is more likely to get minutes elsewhere in the second half of the campaign.
His recent exploits on international duty have suggested that the teenager is finally ready for a proper taste of senior football, and it seems increasingly likely that he will be allowed to leave on loan.
READ NEXT: Manchester United star enjoys dream debut as teammate suffers World Cup heartbreak in dramatic defeat