Man Utd wonderkid hailed as 'next Yaya Toure' and Ruben Amorim could unleash him against Leeds
Updated 15:39 16 Jul 2025 GMT+1Published 15:32 16 Jul 2025 GMT+1
Manchester United begin their pre-season campaign against rivals Leeds United on Saturday.
Manchester United's pre-season campaign gets underway this weekend with Ruben Amorim set to test some new faces in his line-up against rivals Leeds.
United have signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves this summer and want to add Bryan Mbuemo as Amorim looks to guide his side back from their nightmare campaign last season.
A post-season trip to Malaysia and Hong Kong saw Amorim test out some of his academy stars, and their upcoming pre-season schedule presents another opportunity to take a closer look.
Amorim and United have told five first-team players to look for new clubs and they are unlikely to be involved in the summer friendlies, starting against Leeds in Sweden on Saturday.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia are all on the market after expressing a desire to leave, as Amorim looks to overhaul a squad that finished 15th last term.
Amorim took plenty of youngsters on United's post-season tour in May and could do the same this summer.
Amorim took plenty of youngsters on United's post-season tour in May and could do the same this summer.
United take on Leeds in Stockholm before travelling to the USA to face West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton. They return to Old Trafford to face Fiorentina before the Premier League gets back underway with a hotly-anticipated visit of Arsenal on August 17.
As Amorim looks to find a team capable of taking on the Gunners, he has been boosted by the return of teenager Sekou Kone from injury after he first impressed on their post-season tour in May.
Kone signed for United last summer from Guidars FC of Mali, with the defensive midfielder mostly featuring for the U21s in his first season.
Kone made his first senior appearance in United's post-season tour of Malaysia and Hong Kong.
Kone made his first senior appearance in United's post-season tour of Malaysia and Hong Kong.
Kone made 13 appearances for United's youngsters, as well as appearing on the bench three times for the first team without making his senior debut. He featured in the tour of Malaysia and Hong Kong, looking good after United's awful finish in the Premier League opened the door for some youngsters to make their mark in front of Amorim.
Having shrugged off an injury over the summer, Kone is now an option for Amorim as he looks to transform United's fortunes in his first full season at the club.
Kone had been dubbed the 'next Yaya Toure' by one outlet in Mali for his impressive performances at the U17 World Cup in 2023. He was said to be attracting interest from many of Europe's elite clubs before United swooped last summer.
With midfield an ongoing area of concern for United, Kone has a chance to stake a claim for a debut under Amorim - starting with a potential inclusion against Leeds this weekend.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Leeds United, Yaya Toure, Ruben Amorim