A new way of making transfers may have helped Manchester United find a real gem.

In a lively 41-minute cameo at the John Smith’s Stadium, Sekou Kone showed some great skills, but there were also times when you remembered that he is still a youngster and his skills are still developing.

Almost no other player in the United school is like Kone. Since he doesn’t speak English, it was clear that it was hard for him to talk to his coworkers.

He also learnt how to play sports in his home country. The 18-year-old Mali youth international was signed by United from Guidars FC for just over £1 million in August. Since then, they have had to work hard to get him ready for academy-level football. The things that United wants from him are very different from what he is used to.

Kone made his first start for Manchester United in this EFL Trophy game at League One Huddersfield. He had come off the bench for 19 minutes against Sunderland in Premier League 2 and played the whole second half of the Youth League win over FK Zalgris, and he did a great job. But he didn’t even make it to halftime because of how rough he was. He took a heavy, careless touch 20 yards from goal, which let David Kasumu make a fair but strong challenge.

Kone fell and had to walk away slowly. He is a tall youngster, but he isn’t very strong yet. He can spend some time getting bigger at the Carrington gym. After that, he might be able to handle problems like that one.

United hopes that he won’t be out for too long. People inside and outside the club are excited about him, and he needs a lot of time on the grass if his growth goes the way many people hope it will. He has already trained with the main group.

Supporters are excited about Kone’s signing because it is so rare and there isn’t much video of him before he came. At the time, United called the move a “bold” one, and interim head of recruitment Christopher Vivell was a big part of it. Vivell, who used to work as a talent scout for Red Bull, is known for signing young players. Kone is his first real chance at Old Trafford.

Several people from United’s hiring team watched him play in the Under-17 World Cup in November 2023. Then, in April 2024, a scout went to an Under-18 event in Morocco to see him play live, and good reports kept coming in. Vivell played a big part in the decision to go ahead with the signing.

United was really excited about Kone’s mix of technical skill and physical strength, which was clear in his first big game, which was against an EFL team with some experienced players, especially in midfield. With some quick passes to friends, it was clear that he was technically calm. He clearly knows how to get the ball in crowded areas, and when he did get it, his long stride helped him get away from threats quickly.

Early on in the game, he made a smart recovery. Then, he ran through the middle of the field and no one could stop him, turning the defence into an attack. Kone did better when he was in centre with Tommy Rowe. Before becoming a player-coach at United’s school this summer, the 36-year-old played in 533 EFL games. He stayed close to Kone and helped show him the way around the pitch.

Kone took his eyes off the ball and had a loose touch on a Tyrell Malacia pass from five yards out. He then slipped when he had the ball near halfway. Coach Travis Binnion shook his head to show that he didn’t like it when a player mixed up his game.

Kone can have a body. Ben Wiles was hit from far away with a diving tackle, and Rhys Healey was hit late in the game. The last thing that made Kasumu feel welcome was a loose touch. Even though it was the end of his night, there were enough good signs there.

It looks like United has signed a very good player. Now they have to take care of it and cut out the parts where things get too real.