Leny Yoro is at Carrington for pre-season ahead of his third season at Manchester United, and after two mildly successful campaigns, 2026/27 is absolutely vital.
Two years ago, Manchester United surprised Europe by beating Real Madrid to the signature of Leny Yoro. The quickness to sign the Frenchman was one of the first impressions Ineos made in the transfer window.
United saw Yoro as a generational defender at the time, but his time at United still hasn’t really kicked on yet. Yoro didn’t debut until December 2024 due to an injury he picked up in pre-season, and the rest of his 2024/25 campaign under Ruben Amorim felt like it was all about experience.
Throughout his two years, Yoro’s potential has been acknowledged, but we have yet to see that really be shown on a consistent basis, not all of this being his fault. But it does mean the 2026/27 season is potentially decisive.
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Leny Yoro needs to be playing regularly during the 2026/27 campaign
In his time at United, Yoro has had spells of quality when he looks like the world-class defender that we assumed he was before arriving, but ultimately, he hasn’t done enough. Having cost £51m, certain expectations just aren’t being met right now by Yoro.
He is still just 20, but where a lot of frustration comes from is that Yoro has been surpassed in performances by Ayden Heaven, who looks the more polished talent despite costing £50m less.
Both are United’s centre-back pairing for the next decade, but last season didn’t see either play enough.
This is true for Heaven as much as Yoro, but Carrick needs to seriously consider how he is using the two talented defenders in the next year, as they won’t develop without game time.
Carrick has favoured Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez when they are both available, and that is fine, but gradually, United needs to be giving the next generation a chance to build a relationship and grow together.
Every time Yoro has a good run but then makes an error, he is dropped immediately, and fans jump on him, claiming he’s no good. It is easy to forget defenders usually peak older, where was Virgil van Dijk at 20?
Yoro needs to be backed and trusted to play a run of games without thinking he is on thin ice and this is how he will finally begin to settle and grow in confidence.
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Manchester United might have a tough decision to make with Leny Yoro
Despite a lack of consistency at United, there is no doubt that Yoro has the quality to be absolutely sensational when he reaches his prime. But failing to kick on this season would mean the defender is over halfway through his contract, and yet to justify it.
Omar Berrada’s rule of giving players two seasons to prove they belong has been widely reported, and next summer, a year later, Yoro might be up for debate if he can’t prove himself during 2026/27.
This could mean United either looks to loan Yoro or sell, because they will be wary of his contract expiry in 2029, which should speed up decisions.
It isn’t really up to Yoro, though; he can only try his best when given the chance to play with Michael Carrick, having the power to actually give him the chance to start over Harry Maguire, who cannot be relied upon long-term.
A huge season awaits Yoro.
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