{"id":1467843,"date":"2026-07-12T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1467843"},"modified":"2026-07-10T20:05:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T19:05:37","slug":"tactical-analysis-manu-kone-france-world-cup-man-utd","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-manu-kone-france-world-cup-man-utd\/","title":{"rendered":"Manu Kone analysis: Why the France star is the perfect fit for Manchester United&#8217;s midfield rebuild"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Manchester United\u2019s midfield rebuild is starting to gather pace.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A deal to sign Ederson was agreed before <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the World Cup<\/a>. The 27-year-old would already be a United player had he not replaced Wesley in the Brazil squad. However, the transfer was called off on Friday night due to United&#8217;s concerns over the midfielder&#8217;s fitness. It would explain a move for compatriot Andrey Santos. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/andrey-santos-man-utd-tactical-analysis\/\">The Premier League side are closing in on the \u00a350m addition of the Chelsea man<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the midfield refresh is unlikely to stop there. United need strength in depth in a key area. Casemiro\u2019s exit and Manuel Ugarte\u2019s injury means Kobbie Mainoo is the only senior option at the base of Michael Carrick\u2019s favoured 4-2-3-1 setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-kone-s-distribution-key-for-france\" data-level=\"3\">Kone&#8217;s distribution key for France<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-impressive-press-resistance\" data-level=\"3\">Impressive press resistance<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-off-the-ball-work-shining-through\" data-level=\"3\">Off the ball work shining through<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-man-utd-would-benefit-from-kone-s-addition\" data-level=\"3\">Man Utd would benefit from Kone&#8217;s addition<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The World Cup has proven a blessing for players looking to break onto the scene. Johan Manzambi is one expected to secure a Premier League move before long having shone for Switzerland. And he may not be the only player on the continent who\u2019ll secure a summer switch to England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kone-s-distribution-key-for-france\">Kone&#8217;s distribution key for France<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Manu Kone has become an unexpected star in France\u2019s progression to the World Cup 2026 semi-finals. Injury to Aurelien Tchouameni has aided the Roma man. The 25-year-old has grabbed his chance to shine with both hands. Les Bleus are now two wins away from a third World Cup, with Kone playing an instrumental role in the middle of the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Didier Deschamps\u2019 France haven\u2019t exactly overwhelmed opponents in North America. A 57.9% possession average actually ranks 14th this summer. However, Kone is one that the team has looked to in order to keep play ticking over.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10172113\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-1-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1467850\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10172113\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-1-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10172113\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-1-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10172113\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-1-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10172113\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-1-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10172113\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-1-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10172113\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-1-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10172113\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-1-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10172113\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-1-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10172113\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-1-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10172113\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-1.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A 92.8% pass accuracy is the second best of those to have started at least three matches for France this summer. And he\u2019s doing so from an average of 62.3 passes per 90, that in itself the fourth most. It\u2019s the manner of passes, though, that stands out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kone isn\u2019t simply retaining possession for the sake of it. Rather, he\u2019s looking to set France on the frontfoot. Excluding goalkeepers and defenders, 56 forward passes is the third most for Les Bleus. This is a France side that ranks third for chances created per 90 (14.5) and counter-attacking goals scored (3) at the World Cup. By getting the offensive stars on the ball quickly, Kone is enabling Deschamps\u2019 side to quickly transition from defence to attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-impressive-press-resistance\">Impressive press resistance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Much of this is due to Kone\u2019s ability to shake off pressure from an opposition marker. Indeed, he\u2019s showing the desire to drop deep to receive the ball off the defence and the confidence to turn despite coming under the cosh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting centre-backs Dayot Upamecano (64.7) and William Saliba (62.8) rank second and third, respectively, for passes per 90 for France. They build attacks from the back, with Kone established as a key man. That he\u2019s been dispossessed just 0.8 times per 90 at the World Cup serves to highlight his press resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-off-the-ball-work-shining-through\">Off the ball work shining through<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>And it\u2019s not just in the final third were Kone is proving influential. He\u2019s shielding the defence effectively, too. 21 ball recoveries ranks fifth for France. He\u2019s won possession in the midfield third the third most times (13). No player has won possession in the attacking third more times (4) than the Roma man.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-toplist\">\n        <div class=\"sq-toplist__items\">\n\t\t\t    <div\n            class=\"sq-toplist__item\"\n            data-entity-id=\"1381532\"\n            data-offer-id=\"1381589\"\n    >\n\t\t        <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-container\">\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/matchbook?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Matchbook\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"9.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"logo\" class=\"sq-toplist__logo\" style=\"background:#fe0008\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/04\/29232103\/1262572_1262572_matchbook-logo1.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"MatchBook Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/04\/29232103\/1262572_1262572_matchbook-logo1.png 225w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/04\/29232103\/1262572_1262572_matchbook-logo1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/04\/29232103\/1262572_1262572_matchbook-logo1-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/04\/29232103\/1262572_1262572_matchbook-logo1-60x60.png 60w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/04\/29232103\/1262572_1262572_matchbook-logo1-40x40.png 40w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t\t                <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer-box\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__bookmaker\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/matchbook?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Matchbook\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"9.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"brand_name\">Matchbook<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-tablet-visible\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/matchbook?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Matchbook\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"9.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Bet \u00a320 Get \u00a330 In Free Bets<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-mobile-visible\">\n                    <a href=\"\/en\/go\/matchbook?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Matchbook\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"9.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Bet \u00a320 Get \u00a330 In Free Bets<\/a>                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/matchbook?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Matchbook\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"9.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"cta\" class=\"sq-btn sq-btn--secondary sq-btn--full\">Claim Offer<\/a>                <div class=\"sq-rating\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__text\">Our Score<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__value\">9.0<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/matchbook\/\" class=\"sq-review-link\">\n                    <span>Read our review<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t        <ul class=\"sq-toplist__features\">\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Betting Exchange<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Excellent Football Betting Options<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Uniquely Designed Sportsbook<\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n\t\t            <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-tc\"><p>#AD 18+ New Players Only. Sign Up with Bonus Code: NEW30. Bet and Settle 1x\u00a310 Bet on Matchbook Exchange at odds of 2.0 or more. Bet and Settle 1x\u00a310 Bet on a Bet Builder or Multiple at odds of 3.0 or more, with min 3 selections. Within 72 hours of Qualifying Bets settling user will receive 1x \u00a310 Exchange Free Bet, 1x \u00a310 Multiples Free Bet, and 1x \u00a310 Bet Builder Free Bet. Users making their first deposit by Skrill, Neteller or PaySafe card will not qualify for this promotion. T&amp;Cs Apply. Be Gamble Aware.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, Kone isn\u2019t one to commit to a challenge if he doesn\u2019t need to. While he can carry out this nitty gritty defensive work, evident by an average of 1.6 tackles per 90, there\u2019s a commendable reading to the game that enables France to quickly spring forward. Only Desire Doue (2.2) has blocked more passes than Kone (1.6) at the tournament for the European powerhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those who watch Italian football regularly will have already been well aware of Kone\u2019s talent. The World Cup has allowed the Frenchman to explode onto radars across the continent. It\u2019s hardly a surprise that United have been credited with an interest as they undergo their midfield refresh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-man-utd-would-benefit-from-kone-s-addition\">Man Utd would benefit from Kone&#8217;s addition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While Kone\u2019s style of play may be similar to that of Santos, United\u2019s return to the Champions League means they need bodies in the middle of the park. With the increase in European action, having multiple options in central midfield is no bad thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And Kone has used the World Cup to showcase his talent to the watching world. While Roma will command a hefty fee for their prized midfielder, Kone\u2019s skillet and style of play are perfectly suited to United\u2019s central midfield requirements in a 4-2-3-1 setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Teams often need to be cautious when it comes to buying players who shine at a major international tournament. United have been stung before with Karel Poborsky and Kleberson. Kone, though, is a level above the pair. He\u2019d prove a fine addition to this United side.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\"><strong>World Cup predictions &amp; tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/world-cup-outright-odds\/\"><strong>World Cup outright odds <\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup-2026-fixtures-results\/\"><b>World Cup fixtures &amp; results<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-betting-offers\/\"><b>World Cup free bets<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manchester United\u2019s midfield rebuild is starting to gather pace. A deal to sign Ederson was agreed before the World Cup. The 27-year-old would already be a United player had he not replaced Wesley in the Brazil squad. However, the transfer was called off on Friday night due to United&#8217;s concerns over the midfielder&#8217;s fitness. It&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1467844,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"Manchester United","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"How Man Kone's outstanding World Cup displays have strengthened Manchester United's interest in the France international.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[27631],"class_list":["post-1467843","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","squawka-category-world-cup"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Manu Kone analysis: Why the France star is the perfect fit for Manchester United&#039;s midfield rebuild | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How Man Kone&#039;s outstanding World 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