Kone will link up with United's academy, with the club explaining after announcing his transfer on Friday that they will "give him time to settle in to life in Manchester".

The player will be hoping to become a star of the future at Old Trafford after representing his country at youth level.

And the 53-year-old has been working behind the scenes to bolster United's short-term and long-term prospects with a series of wise signings.

Ashworth oversaw deals to bring in Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna and Leny Yoro from Lille a couple of weeks after taking up his role, before securing the services of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich. A deal for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte is also on the cards ahead of Friday's transfer deadline.

Ashworth has also been able to offload a whole host of players, including Mason Greenwood, Scott McTominay and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. And he appears to have one eye firmly focused on the club's future, with Kone's arrival a signal of the club's new long-term strategy.

Kone predominantly plays as a defensive midfielder but can occupy a role slightly further forward.

He represented his country at the under-17s Africa Cup if Nations last May as his side were toppled by Morocco in the semi-finals.

He then starred as Mali reached the under-17s World Cup in November, with his side falling again at the last four stage as they were defeated by eventual champions France.

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