Manchester United partner club Lausanne have been eliminated from the Europa Conference League.
There was a mixture of disappointment and confusion when Manchester United loanee Sekou Kone was not named in Lausanne’s Europa Conference League squad.
What was the point in sending the young midfielder to a club where he was clearly not valued enough to play a major role?
The decision showed a worrying disconnect for Ineos, who own Lausanne as well as having a large stake in Manchester United.
Lausanne’s decision on Kone has now become a moot point, after they were eliminated from the Europa Conference League.
Sekou Kone training at Carrington
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Sekou Kone LEFT OUT of Lausanne’s Conference League squad 📉 Are Ineos to blame?
… or does Kone need to show more to the coaching staff and learn there are no free passes? 🚫
Sekou Kone lunges for the ball in action for Manchester United.
Photo by PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images
Lausanne eliminated
Lausanne have now been knocked out of the Europa Conference League after a defeat at home to Czech club Sigma Olomouc.
The Swiss side were defeated 2-1 at home after drawing the first leg 1-1.
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The defeat brings an end to a promising campaign that saw them begin in the qualifiers last July, eventually knocking out Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Besiktas to make the group stages.
Lausanne did enough in the group to make the Round of 16 playoff, but have now been eliminated from the competition.
Sekou Kone’s ineligibility did not help their cause. Depending on how his season pans out, it may be a decision they regret.
Manchester United loanee Enzo Kana-Biyik did feature, he came off the bench in the 84th minute, but was unable to make an impact.
Omar Janneh scored Lausanne’s goal. He is a promising teenage striker signed from Atletico Madrid in January on a permanent deal. He has now scored five goals in nine appearances.
Promising signs from Sekou Kone… what constitutes success from his loan spell?
Kone stats
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Potential impact for Sekou Kone
The team is having a tough season domestically, down in ninth position, and they are unlikely to qualify for European football next season.
Sekou Kone has made two appearances in the Swiss league for Lausanne. His most recent appearance came in a defeat against Lugano, where he showed some promise during his 26 minute cameo.
It was a competent and technically strong midfield performance and indicated that Lausanne had been wrong not to include him in their Conference League squad.
Lausanne’s elimination could be bad news for the Manchester United prospect as it reduces the need to rotate the team for domestic games.
It will be up to the Malian youngster to force his way into the team by taking advantage of the limited opportunities he does get.
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