Manchester United left two youngsters of their squad for a fixture earlier this week because of a little-known rule which would have have impacted their season.
The Red Devils kick off the new Premier League campaign with a mouthwatering clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford but the club's youngsters already played their first game of the new season on Wednesday when they faced Tamworth Town in the National League Cup, which includes reserve sides from Premier League clubs.
United were drawn in Group A of the National League Cup alongside Everton, Burnley and Blackburn's Under 21's, Tamworth, Brackley, Rochdale and Solihull Moors.
The tournament, which was introduced last season, sees four academy sides and four National League team in each of the eight groups.
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It is used as development for the young prospects but Toby Collyer and Harry Amass were not included in United's squad for the opening fixture.
However, it's emerged that there was a reason for their omission as had they featured, it could have brought issues for the pair.
Players cannot feature for more than two clubs in a season and because it was a competitive game, they would have only been able to play for one other team on loan.
In short, if either were to be have been recalled from a loan in the middle of the season - the rules would have prevented them from heading elsewhere.
Both were heavily touted to join struggling Sheffield Wednesday but on Friday, United confirmed Collyer will spend the 2025/26 campaign at West Bromwich Albion in the Championship as he looks for valuable game-time.
The Tamworth clash had to be abandoned at the end of the first half after midfielder Sekou Kone suffered a head injury during a collision while defending in his own box.
Physios and ambulance staff rushed onto the pitch to attend to the 19-year-old, who was taken away on a stretcher while after receiving treatment following a clash of heads and a hard landing on the pitch.
Because he required treatment in the ambulance and a replacement one could not be called for in time, the game was abandoned.
Fortunately for Kone, he was conscious and communicating in hospital - where he was taken as a precaution.
"We can confirm Sekou is conscious, stable and communicating with United’s medical team," United said in a statement on their official website.
"He has been taken to hospital, as a precaution, for further checks. Everybody at the club wishes him a speedy recovery."
Topics: Manchester United, Ruben Amorim
Josh Lawless