Manchester United Under-21s star Sekou Kone is conscious and stable after being taken to hospital as a result of a serious head injury.

The National League Cup match between Man United’s U21 side and Tamworth was abandoned after the worrying collision in the 42nd minute.

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Kone suffered a worrying head injury[/caption]

With the score at 0-0, the 19-year-old came off worse when he challenged for a header at a corner.

Kone immediately fell to the ground after clashing heads with one of the Tamworth players, but later managed to stand up.

But the Malian youngster then went down again shortly afterwards, and required lengthy treatment from the medical staff.

This prompted the referee to blow the whistle for half time early, with the rest of the players returning to the dressing room as Kone continued to be treated.

He was eventually stretchered off the pitch with an oxygen mask, receiving applause from fans inside The Lamb Ground.

Kone made his way into an ambulance where the treatment continued, before he was taken to hospital.

But with no other ambulances left on site, the match then had to be abandoned, with rules stating games cannot continue without one of the emergency vehicles on hand.

Tamworth later confirmed the match’s abandonment in a post on X.

The National League side wrote: “Due to the medical situation, we are forced to abandon tonight’s fixture, details will be revealed in due course.

“We would like to wish safe travels to all the Man United fans, staff and players.

The players were ordered off the pitch early while Kone received treatment

“We especially wish Sekou Kone a speedy recovery.”

A positive update was later shared as United confirmed the teenager was in a stable condition following his earlier scare.

The club wrote on X: “Sekou is conscious, stable and communicating with United’s medical team.

“He has been taken to hospital as a precaution for further checks.”

Kone joined United from Malian side Guidars FC in a deal worth just over £1million ($1.3m) last summer.

He came to the club’s attention after impressing at the 2023 U17 World Cup, where his country came third.

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Kone was involved in Man United’s Premier League Summer Series campaign in the US[/caption]

While Kone has not yet made a first team appearance at Old Trafford, he was named as an unused substitute by Ruben Amorim in three matchday squads last season.

Then in May, he came on as a substitute against Asean All Stars and Hong Kong in United’s post-season tour in Asia.

He played 14 times for their Under-21s last season, scoring twice.

United’s youngsters side were opening their campaign in the National League Cup against Tamworth.

The competition sees youth sides playing in Premier League 2 face clubs from English football’s fifth tier.

Leeds Under-21s were victorious last season, as they beat Sutton United 2-1 in the final.