Former Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre has given his verdict on Leny Yoro.
In July 2024, Manchester United hijacked Real Madrid’s attempts to sign Leny Yoro by signing the young defender from Lille in a deal worth £52.2m.
Aged 18 at the time, Yoro arrived at Old Trafford with the reputation of being the best young centre-back in Europe. The attention he received from Real Madrid was a testament to his ability.
As we approach Yoro’s third season at United, he looks no closer to cementing his place in the starting line-up – especially with Ayden Heaven adapting much faster since his £1.5m switch from Arsenal.
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Mikael Silvestre sends important message to Leny Yoro
Yoro is not the first French centre-back to play for United.
The list contains Laurent Blanc, Mikael Silvestre, and Raphael Varane.
However, Yoro has yet to make his debut on the senior stage for the France national team, so the 2026 World Cup came too soon for the United defender.
Former United defender Silvestre has urged Yoro to focus on imposing himself at United before breaking into the France national team.
Speaking to United In Focus on behalf of Grosvenor Sport, Silvestre stressed that he believes Yoro can make it in the France national team, but he must overcome a ‘difficult’ adaptation period in Manchester first.
“There is a lot of hope about Leny Yoro in France, and it makes sense to consider him as a potential centre-back for the national team because when you play for Manchester United, United should be competing for trophies,” Silvestre said when asked if he believes Yoro will be part of the France squad for the next World Cup in 2030 if he continues to develop.
“Then you are in the right environment to progress.
“He’s been playing for the under-21s, so the next step would be the France national team, and I think he will get there. It’s just taking a bit of time because adaptation has been difficult. He’s had injuries, a change of coaches, and he’s still young, but he is like William Saliba.
“I would think that he has the potential at some point to get into the France team, but you need to impose yourself at United first. That’s very important.
“He hasn’t established himself yet, and in fact Ayden Heaven has played ahead of him, but I hope with a good pre-season he will be ready to make his mark.”
It’s going to be a huge season for Yoro, and he should get plenty of opportunities – along with Heaven – since United are back competing in the Champions League.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Mikael Silvestre has told Leny Yoro to impose himself at Manchester United before worrying about the France national team
- Yoro has yet to make his debut for France at the senior level
- Silvestre acknowledges that Ayden Heaven is ahead of Yoro in the pecking order
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Mikael Silvestre unsure about Man Utd’s best defensive pairing
Silvestre also admitted he doesn’t know which is United’s strongest centre-back pairing.
The former France international is concerned about Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez being injury-prone.
Silvestre praised Heaven and is happy with the competition for places at centre-back.
“I think places are still up for grabs,” he added.
“We haven’t seen one decisive pairing and that is due mainly to injuries.
“Lisandro Martinez has been injured. Leny Yoro has been injured at points. Matthijs de Ligt has been out injured too. It’s difficult. We haven’t seen enough to say what is the best and most balance, and most effective, partnership.
“I can’t tell you right now that we need to see how pre-season goes and then the first game of the season to see what’s going to happen but Ayden Heaven has done well, really well for his young age, so there’s a lot of competition.
“That is good for the manager because now they’re going to be playing in Europe this season too, so he needs everybody fit and ready to compete.”
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