Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has suggested that one first-team player has the “potential” to become a huge hit at Old Trafford under manager Ruben Amorim.
Ruben Amorim officially replaced Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager in November after the Dutchman was sacked in late October.
Erik ten Hag was dismissed after United’s woeful start to the 2024-25 Premier League season and Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed interim manager.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was United assistant manager under Ten Hag, led the Red Devils for four matches during his spell before he left Old Trafford in November.
United triggered the £9.25m release clause in Amorim’s Sporting CP contract and the 39-year-old Portuguese manager inked a deal with the club until June 2027.
Amorim has overseen a mixed start to life as United manager, with the Red Devils boss managing four wins in his opening eight matches across all competitions.
Stam sees potential in Man Utd star
Ruben Amorim has wasted no time in committing to his playing style at Manchester United and shifted the Red Devils to play with a three-man backline.
The former Sporting CP manager has seen some success with playing three centre-backs in the backline, with the likes of Harry Maguire excelling at times.
Amorim has also been able to turn to Leny Yoro after the United summer signing retuned to the Red Devils’ first team after a period on the sidelines.
United landed French defender Leny Yoro, who was linked with Real Madrid in the summer, after signing him in a deal worth £52.18m from Ligue 1 outfit Lille.
The 19-year-old centre-back missed the opening months of the 2024-25 campaign after he limped off with an injury in the pre-season defeat to Arsenal in July.
Former United manager Erik ten Hag was unable to use Yoro during the current season after the former Lille defender underwent surgery on a foot injury in August.
Speaking to Sports Lens, Jaap Stam said: “Leny Yoro has the potential to become a really important player for Manchester United.
“He looks like an athlete and is quick and also has confidence on the ball although I think he could improve in the build-up play.
“He has the potential to become a really important player in Ruben Amorim’s system either in the centre or on the right where he has the pace to cover the wing but also step into midfield.
“Forwards won’t do him on pace, which is very important for the team. He looks very promising but needs to develop, he needs to grow, he needs to get into a rhythm as well in that system, but also needs to get used to the Premier League.
“He’s going to be facing very good players who are very clever, so it’ll be interesting to see how he develops.”
Amorim is impressed with Yoro
Leny Yoro made his long-awaited return for United earlier this month in the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Arsenal away from home.
The United defender has made one start in three Premier League appearances since his return from injury, with Amorim keen to integrate Yoro into the backline.
Yoro played his first full 90 minutes of the season for United on Thursday evening in the 4-3 defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Speaking after the defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates, Amorim insisted that the United centre-back showed early signs of his potential against the Gunners.
“Of course, Leny Yoro, you can feel the talent,” he told talkSPORT, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“The speed, the way he handled one against one, in a very difficult stadium.
“[After] a lot of time without playing, you can see the quality.”
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