Man Utd make loan decision on youth star labelled 'new Yaya Toure'

Manchester United have made a decision on promising midfielder Sekou Kone over a loan deal for next season.

The 20-year-old, who has been labelled the new Yaya Toure and is a youth international for Mali, is to play at Swiss side Lausanne-Sport.

Kone joined joined Lausanne from United in February on an initial loan but played only five games for the first team before being sidelined by injury for the rest of the season.

And now the decision has been made for him to return to Switzerland to continue his development.

United signed the highly-rated midfielder from Guidars FC in his homeland in August 2024 for £1million, with the teenager viewed as one of Africa's brightest young prospects.

Although Kone has yet to make his senior debut for the Red Devils, the club have taken a patient approach to his progression, believing regular first-team football will accelerate his development far more than academy football alone.

A second campaign in the Swiss top flight will provide the youngster with another opportunity to test himself in a European league while continuing to adapt to the physical and tactical demands of senior football.

Lausanne-Sport will also be hoping Kone can help improve on last season's ninth-place finish in the Swiss Super League.

United have increasingly used carefully selected loan moves to aid the development of their emerging talent, with Kone becoming the latest academy prospect to gain valuable first-team experience away from Old Trafford.

United have a strong reputation for developing young players and this has strengthened under the INEOS ownership.

Michael Carrick has made an effort to watch Academy players to see the rising stars and there is a clear pathway into the first team.

This approach has allowed them to attract young talent to the club from other Premier League rivals as has been the case for example with Ayden Heaven or Chido Obi.