Manchester United agree deal to sign Sekou Kone, 18, from Malian ...

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Sekou Kone, an 18-year-old from Malian side Guidars FC.

Kone is a defensive midfielder, a position manager Erik ten Hag has looked to strengthen, but United’s plan is to bed him in with the under-21s while he adjusts to life in England.

United are conscious of the huge cultural change Kone will experience coming from Mali and aim to take a steady approach to his integration.

Kone is viewed as having high potential and, while he is one for the future, it is hoped he will provide an option for the first team at No 6 in the long term.

So far this summer, United have signed Leny Yoro from Lille, Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna and Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich.

Ten Hag’s side beat Fulham 1-0 in their opening Premier League game last Friday and return to action against Brighton & Hove Albion this Saturday.

(Michael Regan/Getty Images)

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Laurie Whitwell worked for the Daily Mail from 2010, covering midlands football for the last five years, including Leicester’s remarkable Premier League triumph. Whitwell was nominated for sports scoop of the year at the 2019 SJAs for breaking Wayne Rooney’s move to DC United. He will be reporting on Manchester United for The Athletic. Follow Laurie on Twitter @lauriewhitwell