Manchester United might have uncovered a gem - and it's thanks to a new transfer strategy

For every bit of quality that Sekou Kone produced in a lively 41-minute cameo at the John Smith's Stadium, there was a counterbalance moment that reminded you that this is a teenager whose talent remains raw.

Kone is unlike pretty much every other player in the United academy. He doesn't speak English for a start and clearly didn't find it easy to communicate with his colleagues.

He has also been schooled in football in his homeland. United spent just over £1million to sign the 18-year-old Mali youth international from Guidars FC in August, and they have had to work hard on getting him ready for academy-level football since. The demands at United are very different from what he is used to.

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This EFL Trophy fixture at League One Huddersfield was Kone's first start in a United shirt after 19 minutes off the bench in Premier League 2 against Sunderland and the second half in the Youth League rout against FK Zalgris, and he didn't disappoint. But that he didn't even make it to half-time was because of that rawness, a heavy, casual touch 20 yards from goal that invited a fair but robust challenge from David Kasumu.

Kone went down in a heap and had to limp off. He is a tall teenager but not yet physically strong. He can spend time bulking up in the Carrington gym, by which point he might be able to ride out challenges such as that one.

United will hope he isn't out for too long. There is excitement about him inside and outside the club, and if his development follows the trajectory many hope, then he needs plenty of time on the grass. He has already