Kone gets international call-up
Manchester United youngster Sekou Kone is set to gain valuable experience by representing Mali at the Maurice Revello Tournament.
The prestigious summer event in France, previously known as the Toulon Tournament, brings eight nations together for the chance to lift a trophy, won by Ukraine last year.
Kone joined the Reds from Guidars in his homeland in August and has performed well for Travis Binnion's Under-21s.
The midfielder has been on the bench three times in Premier League fixtures for Ruben Amorim's men and played in the UEFA Youth League for the Under-19s.
The 19-year-old has been named in a 23-man squad for the competition and is one of eight players selected from the outstanding side that finished third in the last Under-17 World Cup.
Mali face Panama on 3 June, before meeting France three days later and finishing their group schedule with a tie against Saudi Arabia on 9 June.
The other group contains Congo, Denmark, Japan and Mexico. Mali are the first country to confirm their squad selection.
This is the 51st edition of the youth tournament, which is traditionally for players aged 20 and under.
United winger Antony, currently on loan at Real Betis, won it with Brazil in 2019 and Alejandro Garnacho was named 'Revelation of the Tournament' in 2022, after scoring four times for Argentina. Bruno Fernandes played for Portugal in 2014, when with Udinese in Italy.
Some of the former Reds to have participated over the years include Fabien Barthez (1991), David Beckham (1995 and 1996), Laurent Blanc (1986), Andy Cole (1992), Radamel Falcao (2004), Shinji Kagawa (2007), Cristiano Ronaldo (2003) and Mikael Silvestre (1997 and 1998).
Good luck to Sekou from everybody at United!