It was a disappointing night for Ruben Amorim and his Manchester United squad as they were defeated by the ASEAN All-Stars in Malaysia. However, one bright spot stood out amidst the lackluster performance.
United played their opening game of a high-profile tour at the 84,000-seat Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Wednesday. The tour, which includes stops in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, will see the team cover nearly 7,000 miles and reportedly earn £8 million—an important financial boost as they aim to stay within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations.
Amorim’s 32-man squad included both regular first-team players and several academy products, such as Tyler Fletcher, Jack Moorhouse, Jim Thwaites, and the much-anticipated Shea Lacey.
Although the team struggled throughout the match, 19-year-old Sekou Kone made a notable impression. The Malian defensive midfielder, who joined United last August for around £1 million plus add-ons, appeared composed and confident in his senior debut.
Originally, Kone was expected to be loaned out next season to FC Lausanne-Sport, which is also owned by INEOS. However, his strong showing has prompted many fans to question that plan.
Supporters quickly took to social media to praise the youngster:
- “Sekou Kone is going to be a superstar, get him in the first team,” one fan tweeted.
- Another added, “Sekou Kone is quality. No idea why we’re loaning him next season—he should stay.”
- A third applauded United’s scouting team for signing Kone, saying, “Deals like this should become more common with Vivell leading recruitment.”
- Others simply stated, “Not surprised by Sekou Kone’s quality,” and “He’s a baller. Can’t wait to see more of him in the first team.”
Despite Kone’s standout display, United ultimately lost 1-0, with Myanmar captain Maung Maung Lwin scoring the decisive goal in the 71st minute
