Leny Yoro has explained why he enjoys playing in a back-three at Manchester United, while stressing that Ruben Amorim’s system shouldn’t be a focus point for criticism towards the team.
It has been a slow start to the 2025/26 season for Manchester United, with Ruben Amorim being the subject of widespread criticism before the team went on an unbeaten run.
The results improved in October as United won all three Premier League matches, including a 2-1 victory away at Anfield.
Harry Maguire scored a late winner against Liverpool, but an injury saw the experienced centre-back replaced by Leny Yoro, who has started seven games from his 10 appearances so far this season.
Yoro joined United from Ligue 1 outfit Lille for an initial fee of £52.2 million last year and has been tipped to have a bright future in the game.
The 19-year-old is expected to start when United take on Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, before he joins the France U21 squad for the November international break.
Leny Yoro enjoys playing in Man Utd’s back-three
One of the biggest talking points at United this season has been Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.
The most notable difference is how comfortable the centre-backs look in the system, although the same can’t be said for the wing-backs, with questions still being asked of players like Diogo Dalot.
As one of three central defenders in Amorim’s system, Yoro has given his own verdict on the formation he has had to adapt to over the past year.
“I have no problem with the system,” Yoro told The National.
“I like to play with three defenders, have more freedom. It’s not about the system. You can see we won games against back fours.
“Last year people were saying this because of the results, but you can see this year it’s better, but we have the same system. We just need to work on small things. But for me, I have no preference. I can play both, and if I’m on the pitch I’m happy.”
The sky is the limit for Yoro. It won’t be long before he is knocking on the door of the senior France squad, if he can continue developing and performing at a high level.
Ruben Amorim’s changes not deemed problematic for Man Utd players
Amorim has a habit of changing his central defenders during matches.
Former United captain Gary Neville suggested Amorim should settle on a defence rather than chopping and changing in each game.
“I think he is going to be a top, top, top player and is going to have a great career here in Manchester. But for that, he knows that he has to prove [himself] in every match, so he is going to be ready for the next one.”
Yoro stressed that it is Amorim’s preference, but it is ‘not a problem’ for the players.
“No, I think it’s just the preference of the coach,” he added.
“We get used to it so it’s not a problem for us. For example, I know if I’m coming off and Nous (Mazraoui) is coming on like in the last game, I know he’s going to give something more to the team.”
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