Sékou Koné has moved closer to a loan exit from Manchester United after joining Lausanne Sport in training during the January transfer window.
The 19-year-old midfielder has spent recent days working with the Swiss Super League side and has already featured in a friendly match, signalling concrete progress in discussions over a temporary move away from Old Trafford.
Koné endured a difficult start to the season after suffering a serious facial injury while playing for United’s Under-21s against Tamworth in a National League Cup tie in August.
The incident left the Malian prospect with a fractured eye socket and sidelined him for several months, halting the momentum he built during the previous campaign.
Although Koné has now returned to action, Manchester United have yet to involve him in senior matchday squads.
Even during a period of midfield injuries, the club selected Jack Fletcher and Tyler Fletcher ahead of him, underlining the need for regular minutes elsewhere as he continues his recovery and development.
Speculation around a loan intensified after Koné travelled to Switzerland to link up with Lausanne Sport, a club that shares ownership ties with United through INEOS.
United already placed another young player, Enzo Kana-Biyik, at Lausanne Sport earlier this season following his arrival from Le Havre.
Lausanne head coach Peter Zeidler confirmed Koné’s presence and stressed that the club views his stay as part of a structured evaluation rather than a short-term trial.
“He has been with us for a few days,” Zeidler said. “We know his quality and we have followed him closely.
I do not like the word ‘trial’ because it does not reflect reality. He trains with us, we observe him carefully, and then we decide.”
Zeidler pointed to Kana-Biyik’s progress as a recent example of how the club can support young Manchester United players.
He added that Lausanne Sport plan to reach a final decision between mid-January and mid-February, in line with their approach to all potential signings.
Koné featured in Manchester United’s pre-season squad before the current campaign and earned strong backing from former manager Ruben Amorim.
Last season, he made 13 appearances at Under-21 level and also represented the club in the UEFA Youth League with the Under-19s.
United still view Koné as a long-term prospect, and a loan move now could provide vital experience and consistent playing time as he looks to regain form after injury.
🚨 Sekou Kone is training with Lausanne-Sport and played in a friendly match today. No decision yet on a loan this month. United says it’s not a trial, but a stint to see if a loan suits both parties. #MUFC [@RichFay] pic.twitter.com/gL2yjasyVj
— UtdTruthful (@Utdtruthful) January 8, 2026
