Man Utd have ‘high hopes’ as Erik ten Hag prepares to unleash next Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United are widely known to have backed Erik ten Hag with five new first-team signings in the summer transfer window, splashing around £200million. But, on deadline day, the Red Devils added a sixth recruit who has gone under the radar while he gears up to make a splash this season.

United completed the £1million signing of exciting midfielder Sekou Kone with hours to spare before the summer window slammed shut in August.

The Mali U17 international arrived from Guidars FC in his homeland and, despite turning 18 in February, reportedly isn’t considered an academy signing.

But Kone isn’t currently training with Ten Hag’s senior squad. According to the Manchester Evening News, he has been placed among the U21s and is expected to debut for Travis Binnion’s side this year.

Kone is claimed to have been identified by multiple United staff members during last November’s U17 World Cup.

In April, another club scout attended a U18 tournament in Morocco before filing a recommendation to bring the midfield starlet to Old Trafford.

Kone has impressed with his technical quality with both feet, his composure and ability to play the ball under pressure, and his engine while pressing with intensity.

Given the early suggestions that he was brought to United to enter the first-team picture, some supporters have questioned when his introduction will take place.

The Athletic report that sources have stressed his age and his need to acclimatise to English football. However, United are said to have high hopes for his eventual impact.

Kone reportedly hasn’t done any gym work before in his short career, so the M16 giants are attempting to add some muscle to prepare him for the Premier League physically.

While the African wonderkid is being integrated slowly, Ten Hag could view him as a natural replacement for Casemiro, who is nearing the end of his United career.

The 32-year-old has slipped down the pecking order behind Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen and Manuel Ugarte since his disastrous first half against Liverpool a month ago.

Eriksen’s future is also uncertain, despite his surprise recent renaissance, with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.

Mainoo is the present and future of United’s midfield after enjoying an explosive first-team breakthrough last term.

Meanwhile, there will be optimism that Ugarte, only 23, can act as the 19-year-old’s midfield partner for years to come.

But Kone is being readied to add another dimension to Ten Hag’s engine room, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him training with his new team-mates before the season is out.