Manchester United plan for Sekou Kone after first-team training debut and squad number confirmed

Sekou Kone is edging closer to an academy debut for Manchester United after he passed another milestone on Tuesday following his £1m summer transfer.

The 18-year-old trained with the first team this week for the first time since his move from Mali club Guidars FC was confirmed. The midfielder was drafted into the senior group with several midfielders out of action.

Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Dan Gore and Toby Collyer are all currently out injured, while Bruno Fernandes is suspended for Thursday's trip to Fenerbahce, so has been given a few days off after a heavy workload so far this season.

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That saw Kone promoted to Erik ten Hag's squad for the first time, although he wasn't involved in Wednesday's training session as final plans were made for the Europa League clash with Fenerbahce. Kone wasn't named in United's initial 25-man squad for the competition and can't be added to the B list

Academy players under the age of 21 must have spent two years at a club to be included on that secondary list, so Kone is ineligible to now be added to the group. He is also ineligible for the UEFA Youth League and hasn't travelled for the second-round fixture against Lithuanian side FK Zalgiris on Wednesday evening.

Instead, Kone is set to make his debut for the Under-21s in the next few weeks as he continues to build up his fitness at Carrington. He signed for United without a pre-season, so has effectively been going through a summer of work during September and October.

Kone, who will initially link up with the academy before becoming a regular