MANCHESTER, UK — Manchester United officials are reportedly “deeply concerned” regarding the development of teenage midfielder Sekou Kone following a significant setback in his loan spell at Lausanne-Sport.
Despite joining the Swiss Super League side in January with the promise of European football, the 20-year-old has been sensationally omitted from Lausanne’s UEFA Conference League squad. The decision comes as a major blow to United’s player development plans, especially after the club publicly stated that Kone would “benefit from potential involvement” in the competition.
A Tactical U-Turn Gone Wrong?
Kone’s move to Switzerland was originally slated for last summer, but a “late U-turn” saw him remain at Carrington for the first half of the season. After recovering from a fractured eye socket sustained in August, the Malian starlet was sent to the INEOS-owned club to fast-track his transition to senior football.
However, Lausanne manager Ludovic Magnin opted to use his three available January registration slots on other players, leaving Kone sidelined for the upcoming knockout stages against Sigma.
Contrast with Enzo Kana-Biyik
The situation is made even more frustrating for United by the contrasting fortunes of fellow loanee Enzo Kana-Biyik. While Kone struggles for minutes, 19-year-old Kana-Biyik has become a focal point for Lausanne, recently providing a match-winning assist against Fiorentina in Europe.
Kone’s Struggles in Numbers:
- Appearances: 1 (as a late substitute)
- Result: 5-1 loss vs. FC Thun
- Status: Unused substitute in the Swiss Super League
With United closely monitoring the partnership with their “sister club” in Switzerland, this lack of game time for a high-potential asset like Kone is raising questions about the effectiveness of the current loan pathway. If the situation doesn’t improve before May, United may have to reconsider their development strategy for the 2026/27 pre-season.
Filepe Junior is a football writer tracking La Liga transfers, covering major signings, squad planning, and player movements across Spanish clubs.
