Manchester United kick off pre-season this coming weekend in Sweden against historic rivals Leeds United.

After two weeks on the training pitch, it is showtime for Ruben Amorim this Saturday.

Huge improvements to the 3-4-2-1 system are expected in Manchester United’s performance and it will be an excellent gauge to show where the team is right now.

The main thing will be minutes in the legs and showing an improved understanding of the tactics, but for several, it is an opportunity to stake a claim for a spot in the first-team plans for the upcoming season.

Shea Lacey has already caught the eye for United in training, as he looks to have played his way into Amorim’s plans.

Additionally, Chido Obi will be eager to show the club that a new number nine isn’t needed, by scoring in pre-season as he did in the post season tour.

But there is another with a real chance to earn his spot.

Sekou Kone at Carrington for pre-season training with Manchester United.Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty ImagesSekou Kone has earned pre-season opportunity for Manchester United

After the post season tour, Sekou Kone is a player that fans are desperate to see more of in the first-team.

Kone impressed Amorim on the tour of Asia, with an excellent and electric cameo in midfield which showed he is more than ready to be considered.

The 19-year-old outperformed his senior teammates, and in doing so, Kone has earned himself a pre-season chance for United this summer and it looks like he will get this chance.

Kone has been spotted in training for the senior side this summer, suggesting he will be on tour with the chance to establish himself further as an option in the mind of Amorim.

Kone has been linked with a loan to Lausanne, which is his likely destination next season if he can’t nail down a place under Amorim this summer. However, he absolutely deserves the chance to do so and should start for United against Leeds United this Saturday.

Sekou Kone has totally unique qualities in Manchester United midfield

The Mali youth international is seriously talented, with United beating Barcelona to his signature last summer which indicated the levels he is expected to reach.

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Despite still being raw at times, Kone is very well rounded and has been likened to a mix between N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba which makes for a very impressive midfielder who any manager would love to have.

However, right now, Kone’s biggest asset ahead of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte is his intensity in midfield which sees him proactive with and without the ball, while being able to do it all.

Kone is compared with Kobbie Mainoo on the ball, while he also has a relentless running and willingness to do dirty work to his game, but his intensity is unlike anything United have.

Kone’s bonus skill is that he has a wicked shot on him and is capable of scoring from range, as shown for United’s U21s already.

Hopefully he gets his chance this summer and can play a part in the new season.