Leny Yoro signed for Manchester United on July 18th, 2024, and there has been a lot of hype around the latest Old Trafford star. Since his two-year emergence, the 18-year-old has improved exponentially. Going from substitute and rotational youth player to one of the first name’s on the teamsheet, for the people that watched him week-in, week-out – his £50m move to Manchester came as no surprise.
One of the best attributes the centre back possesses is his speed, something which will welcomed by Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag as he looked to tighten up his backline after conceding 58 goals in the Premier League last campaign. His speed has already been hailed by former youth team coaches at Lille, with one comparing Yoro’s pace to World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe.
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Why Manchester United Signed £50m Defender Leny Yoro
Read on as the 18-year-old’s attributes and weaknesses are analysed, with expectations high for his Premier League arrival from Lille.
Yoro’s acquisition a landmark move
“We are so pleased we signed him. He’s a huge talent, and we’re really looking forward to working with him, to build him.
“You could see he’s a player straight on the pitch yesterday in the training drills, so comfortable.
“We’re really excited about him.”
With excellent positioning, a composed attitude to anything that came his way, as well as brilliant tackling, the game against Glaswegian opposition reflected just a composed glimpse of what Yoro can bring to United.
| Leny Yoro’s 23/24 Defensive Stats (per 90) | |
|---|---|
| Aerial Duels Won | 1.6 |
| Aerial Duel Success (%) | 64.79 |
| Ground Duels Won | 2 |
| Ground Duel Success (%) | 61.05 |
| Clearances | 3.3 |
| Interceptions | 1.3 |
| Ball Recoveries | 4.2 |
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Leny Yoro impressed on his Manchester United debut in pre-season vs Rangers.
One of the highest rated prospects on the continent
Yoro played a big part in Lille’s fourth place finish in the league last season, as well as the progression to the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals and his skill set is definitely one to be admired, especially considering his professional career is just two years old.
Introduced as one of the club’s youngest first-team players when he made his professional Ligue 1 debut in May 2022, at the age of 16 years, six months and a day, Yoro has shown a coolness beyond his years. As per previous GIVEMESPORT analysis, the defender conforms well within the modern standards of the game and has shown great ability to press high. Consistently, he has demonstrated the football IQ to squeeze up, anticipate balls that go through midfield, and regularly have the composure when it’s fallen to him to be the last man back.
| Leny Yoro’s 2023/24 Passing Statistics (per 90) | |
|---|---|
| Passing Accuracy (%) | 92.16 |
| Long Passes Completed | 2.8 |
| Long Pass Accuracy (%) | 52.26 |
| Through Balls | 0 |
| Forward Passes Completed | 17.5 |
There’s a clear winner out of the Arsenal transfer target and Man Utd’s newest defenderHis talent was clear to see from the very start
“When Leny was an under-16, I said to the under-19 coach that he needs to play in the under-19s, but he didn’t have a place for him. But the first time he (started for the under-19s), he never returned with me. He was the best on the pitch.”
Even further back, Aboubacar Sankhare, the former Lens, Toulouse and Dusseldorf defender, spoke of Yoro’s time at Villeneuve d’Ascq. While at the club before Lille as a young player, Sankhare was the general manager. He, too, highlighted the defender’s superb mindset.
“From a very young age, he had this ability to adapt quickly, and he had this maturity. He understood instructions very quickly. He already had intrinsic qualities of his own.”
That ability to adapt is, of course, always key for young players. However, it was particularly noticeable with Yoro – especially when it came to pace and tracking back. His ability to learn and progress cannot be overstated enough, it seems. Szkwarok again:
“He had the mentality of a defender. He loved defending, he loved intercepting the ball, winning the ball with his head. It is a little bit rare to have both qualities, to have technique and the mentality of a defender.”
