Manchester United have officially announced that another member of their squad has departed the club following the conclusion of the winter transfer window, bringing further movement despite a quiet January in terms of arrivals.
After four weeks filled with speculation and rumours, the January 2026 transfer window finally came to an end on Monday evening. While many clubs across Europe remained relatively cautious, several Premier League sides stayed active throughout the month.
Teams such as Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace all completed notable deals as they looked to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season.
In contrast, Manchester United took a very different approach.
The club opted not to bring in any new players during the winter window, choosing instead to focus on internal restructuring as they continue to adapt following the dismissal of former head coach Ruben Amorim.
United’s decision reflected a period of reassessment, with the hierarchy seemingly prioritizing stability and long-term planning over short-term signings.
Although no new faces arrived at Old Trafford, United still oversaw outgoing movement behind the scenes. Shortly after the transfer window officially closed at 19:00 GMT on Monday, the club confirmed that another player had left on a temporary basis.
Around 14 hours after the deadline passed, United released a statement announcing that young midfielder Sekou Kone had joined Swiss Super League side Lausanne-Sport on loan for the remainder of the season, subject to international clearance.
The purpose of the move is to provide Kone with consistent first-team football, something that has been difficult to guarantee at United given the competition for places and his recent injury setbacks. Lausanne-Sport currently sit seventh in the 12-team Swiss Super League after 22 matches.
With the league split system looming, United will be hopeful that Kone can play a key role in helping the Swiss side avoid finishing in the bottom five, which would force them into a relegation round.
In addition to domestic competition, Kone could also be involved in European action during his loan spell.
Lausanne-Sport are scheduled to compete in a UEFA Conference League play-off tie against SK Sigma Olomouc, presenting the 20-year-old with a valuable opportunity to gain experience on the continental stage.
Confirming the loan move, Manchester United expressed their support for the midfielder, stating that they will closely monitor his development while wishing him success during his time away from the club. Kone is regarded as a promising talent and remains part of United’s long-term plans.
The Mali youth international has yet to make his senior debut for the Red Devils, although he was named on the bench for three Premier League matches last season, highlighting the club’s belief in his potential.
Expectations were high that he would continue to progress during the current campaign, but his momentum was halted early on.
In August, Kone suffered a fractured eye socket during a National League Cup match against Tamworth, an injury that sidelined him for the opening months of the season. He eventually returned to full fitness in December and featured in two matches for United’s Under-21 side.
Since mid-January, however, he has been training with Lausanne-Sport, a club that operates under the same INEOS multi-club ownership structure as Manchester United.
This loan move is viewed as a strategic step in Kone’s development, allowing him to regain match sharpness, build confidence, and gain valuable senior experience before returning to Old Trafford better prepared for the demands of top-level football.
