Manchester United fans wasted no time dropping their clear-cut verdicts on Leny Yoro after the Red Devils’ Premier League match against Southampton at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim’s men have had an uptick in results since the start of 2025 after finishing 2024 with four consecutive defeats across all competitions.
The Red Devils secured a 2-2 Premier League draw against Liverpool at Anfield earlier this month and impressed with their performance under Ruben Amorim.
Manchester United then knocked Premier League rivals Arsenal out of the FA Cup last Sunday with a superb penalty shootout victory at the Emirates.
Amorim’s side kicked off their first match of 2025 at Old Trafford on Thursday evening, with the Red Devils hosting Premier League strugglers Southampton.
Yoro’s Man Utd performance at Old Trafford
Manchester United have endured a lacklustre 2024-25 Premier League campaign and the Red Devils’ hopes of finishing in the top four are all but over.
Ruben Amorim has overseen a mixed start to life in England as Manchester United manager after replacing Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout.
United suffered a major setback in the first half against Southampton after the Red Devils once again showed their vulnerability from set-pieces under Amorim.
Southampton took the lead from a corner after the ball was flicked on and took a deflection off Manuel Ugarte’s back, with Andre Onana unable to stop the ball.
Leny Yoro deeply struggled for United in the first half, with the Red Devils summer signing playing as the right-sided centre-back in the three-man backline.
Matthijs de Ligt took the central role and Lisandro Martinez was out on the left, with Harry Maguire, who impressed against Arsenal, dropped to the bench.
Speaking on TNT Sports ahead of the match, Amorim explained why Harry Maguire was taken out of the starting XI and rotated with United defender Leny Yoro.
“Harry is tired and he had a tough week,” he said, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“I think Southampton will play without a striker and with more speed in front.
“Leny is a quick player and he is a top talent. He is ready to cope with the demands of the game.”
Yoro, who arrived at Old Trafford last summer under former United manager Erik ten Hag, continued to play in the second half despite his nightmare first-half display.
The 19-year-old French defender was tormented by Kamaldeen Sulemana and offered very little in neutralising the threat from the Southampton attacker.
Man Utd fans react to Yoro’s display vs Southampton
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, were left deeply frustrated after Yoro’s showing at Old Trafford against Southampton.
Red Devils supporters were baffled by Amorim not taking the former Lille defender off earlier, despite Yoro being simply outclassed by Kamaldeen Sulemana.
One United fan said it was “concerning” that Amorim couldn’t see the “current problem,” while others were deeply worried about Yoro’s “confidence.”
Yoro was finally hooked off in the 83rd minute and was replaced by former United captain Harry Maguire for the remainder of the match.
One X user wrote: “I really don’t understand how Amorim hasn’t made this change yet. The longer Yoro stays on the pitch, the more his confidence will drop.”
Someone else tweeted: “At this point, Amorim should sub Yoro off. He’s suffering out there. His confidence might be ruined permanently if this persists.”
Another posted: “How is Amorim watching this utter destruction of Yoro and just leaving him there as [a] lamb for slaughter? Move him inside to CCB, or move Maz to there or have Maz on that flank with De Ligt.”
A fourth asked: “Why is Amorim not rectifying Yoro getting smoked all night? Feel really sorry for him, but it needs to be changed. He has no support or help.”
“Amorim should protect Yoro by taking him off. Sulemana has been overriding him at this point,” somebody else commented.
While a sixth said: “Yoro is getting cooked real good down that right-hand side. Amorim cannot pinpoint the current problem, which is concerning.”
And another added: “WTF is Amorim doing??? Yoro shouldn’t still be on the pitch, FFS!”
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