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Sekou Kone signed from Malian side Guidars FC last summer for a £1million fee.
He has recently been involved in first team training but has had to wait to make his debut.
Manchester United initially signed the 18-year-old with the view to ease him into their Under-18s, Under-21s and eventually the first team in the distant future.
However, he has fast-tracked his development and has clearly impressed the coaches at Carrington.
Today, Kone finally made his debut for the Under-21s.
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The defensive midfielder came on in the 71st minute for Finley McAllister in United’s 5-2 loss to Sunderland.
Jack Fletcher and Gabriele Biancheri were the Red Devils’ goal scorers.
Despite the disappointing result, Kone’s cameo will instill some optimism in those at Carrington.
Under-21s manager Travis Binnion highlighted Kone’s strong performance off the bench.
He also explained that the loss should be taken as a lesson for United’s youngsters.
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‘I thought Wheatley and Fredricson coming on at half-time did very well, and Sekou Kone was really bright when he came on. Jacob Devaney did well in midfield as well,’ Binnion said.
‘Some of these players are learning on the job and that’s what it’s there for.
‘The U21s level is very different to U18s football when the opposition do it right, when they play with tempo and intensity.
‘Sunderland did that, so credit to them and plenty to learn for our boys today,’ he said.
United’s Under-21s sit 14th in the Premier League 2 after a difficult start to the season.
They will now turn their attention to November 12, when they face Huddersfield in the Football League Trophy.
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