FC Lausanne-Sport have opted against naming Manchester United youngster Sekou Kone in their UEFA Conference League squad. Kone trained with Ineos-owned Lausanne throughout the winter transfer period before completing a loan switch for the remainder of the campaign.
The temporary move will provide the 20-year-old with a chance to compete in the Swiss Super League, with United commenting on the arrangement: “Kone will also benefit from potential involvement in the UEFA Conference League”.
However, Kone has been omitted from Lausanne’s Conference League squad for the remainder of the season. The Swiss side were permitted to register a maximum of three new players following the winter window, yet Kone was excluded, meaning he will be absent when they meet SK Sigma Olomouc in the play-off round.
Enzo Kana-Biyik, another United loanee at Lausanne, has been named in the Conference League squad. Kana-Biyik was a relatively understated arrival in Manchester during the summer window, joining on a free transfer from French side Le Havre before promptly linking up with Lausanne on a season-long loan.
Following his departure from United in the winter window, Kone was an unused substitute against FC St. Gallen before making his bow for Lausanne with a 10-minute appearance in the subsequent match against FC Thun. Last weekend, Kone was once more an unused substitute as Lausanne drew 3-3 with Servette FC.
When Lausanne unveiled the acquisition of Kone, they stated: “Having arrived at the Stade de la Tuilière in early January to train with Lausanne’s first team, Sekou Kone quickly impressed the Lausanne staff.
“His ball-winning abilities, stamina, and technical skill led the club to sign the defensive midfielder on loan until the end of the season. This move to Lausanne will allow him to continue his development in a professional and competitive league.”
Kone sustained a fractured eye socket playing for the Under-21s against Tamworth in August. He was sidelined for several months and resumed play for the academy in November.
Ruben Amorim included Kone in three Premier League matchday squads last season – against Tottenham, Everton and Nottingham Forest – without granting him his debut for the club. The Mali youth international subsequently journeyed to the USA for pre-season, but he didn’t feature in any matches.
He is yet to make his first-team debut for United, but he has been in the matchday squad three times last season in the Premier League.
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