Manchester United youngster Sekou Kone has opened up on his move to Manchester United and claimed that doubts over his progression will be proven wrong soon enough. Kone is yet to play for the senior team since his move from Mali outfit Guidars FC but arrives with a strong reputation.

At 18, Kone is still at the very early stages of his career but was picked up by United despite interest from other big European teams. Injury has so far curtailed his start in England but there are high hopes for the midfielder, who has shown flashes in his brief outings so far.

With just over 100 minutes of academy football to his name, it hasn't been the first few months that Kone would have dreamed of at United. He is still in a determined mood regardless.

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim rejects reporter’s claim before Alan Shearer sides with Man United boss

READ MORE: David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand agree on Sheikh Jassim's Man United takeover amid Ineos crisis

Speaking to Africafoot, Kone took the chance to send a message to those who think it was wrong of him to move at such an age. "I understand the concern about my short-term future but I'm not worried about it at all," he said, emitting words of confidence.

"A lot of youngsters have been launched like Cristiano Ronaldo, [Marcus] Rashford and most recently [Kobbie] Mainoo and the new manager is a believer in the beautiful game, he loves youngsters too. I just have to work really hard and take my chance when it comes."

Kone trained with the first team shortly after arriving, which is a sign of his talent, but he is still raw and currently lacks the physicality to truly stand out at age-group level. Speaking earlier this season, Under-21s boss Travis Binnion admitted just how much of a positive impact he has made, regardless.

"He's a high potential player, there's no doubt about that, his games to this point have been 20 minutes at Sunderland in a game we were poor in, 45 minutes in a game where we were completely dominant in Under-19s," he said. "To have his third game and his first start tonight [vs Huddersfield in mid-November], at that level, I thought for 20 minutes he was excellent. Then they get a little bit of pressure on him, it gets a little bit harder, it just shows he is learning where he's at and it's no problem.

"He's shown more than enough in the three games to suggest that with time and with work he's got a real chance of being a really good player, but it's a high potential Under-21 player with first-team potential. I don't think we can get too ahead of ourselves.

Binnion added that Kone "needs to get fit, stay fit, get a run of training and games and then we'll where he's at." That is still the aim for Kone, who is playing ahead of his years already. To be doing this at one of the most heavily scrutinised clubs in the world is still something of a shock.

"At first, I didn't expect to sign for Manchester United," he admitted. "When I was presented with the offer, I was on cloud nine. Manchester United is a great institution in world football and I can only be delighted with this choice which will allow me to climb the ladder."

As for what the future holds, Kone continued: "It's a demanding club that has won the championship 20 times. It's also a club that knows how to spot good opportunities.

"They made a big offer for a kid from Mali, even though I had everything to prove. And to be honest, Manchester United is not something you can refuse. I always told myself that it was a choice of the heart, because I've loved Manchester United since I was little."

United paid up to £1million for a player who impressed at the 2023 Under-17 World Cup before being further scouted in April 2024 at an Under-18 tournament. His height, mixed with technical skill, make Kone a rare profile and one that United are keen to harness and develop themselves.

Kone is expected to be back in the fold sooner rather than later having used crutches and a protective boot on the night of suffering his injury. The club are being patient with him in order to build up fitness and strength all-round. Given what he plans to do with his time at Old Trafford, it may well be worth the wait.