Leny Yoro has been one of the silver linings in a difficult season for Manchester United, despite missing the start of the campaign due to an injury he sustained in pre-season.
There have been few positives for Manchester United this season.
Ruben Amorim’s side is destined to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League table, with results worsening from the dire 2023/24 campaign that saw Erik ten Hag’s team end the season in eighth place.
The highlights have come from United’s European campaign, with the Red Devils reaching the Europa League final as the only team unbeaten in the competition.
After United’s 4-1 win over Athletic Club in the Europa League, Amorim saw his team suffer their 17th league defeat of the season, losing 2-0 against West Ham.
It’s been a story of one step forward, two steps back for United this term.
Rio Ferdinand exciting by Leny Yoro’s development at Manchester United
Unfortunately for Leny Yoro, the 19-year-old had to wait to make his competitive debut for the club. The injury he sustained against Arsenal in pre-season was a major setback, but that didn’t stop him from working towards earning a place in the team once he regained full match fitness.
Yoro was dealt another injury scare last weekend as he covered his face with his shirt at Old Trafford and appeared to be holding back tears as he trudged straight down the tunnel during United’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham.
The former Lille defender went down holding his foot, which he had previously broken and required surgery on earlier this season. He received treatment on the pitch and was immediately replaced by Harry Maguire.
Before this injury setback, United fans had been watching Yoro perform at a high level, especially in the Europa League semi-final tie against Athletic Club. He showed his ball-carrying abilities as he breezed past Athletic Club’s defenders in high positions and created an assist for one of Mason Mount’s two goals in the 4-1 win.
Yoro has also shown his form in league matches which former United defender Rio Ferdinand has commented on.
Speaking on a recent episode of his Rio Ferdinand Presents Podcast, Ferdinand explained how Yoro was showing why United courted him so hard last summer.
The former United centre-back couldn’t hide the fact he is worried about whether Yoro will be fit to play in the Europa League final next week.
“He’s come into some nice form, and you’re starting to see the reason why Man United courted him so hard, and why the Real Madrid’s of this world were after him, his potential and his ceiling is very high,” Ferdinand said.
“There’s no doubts in my mind, I think he’ll be a top, one of the top centre halves in the world in the coming years. But for him to be injured now, with a final 10 days away, it’s worrying times.”
To make matters worse for Amorim ahead of the eagerly awaited final, Yoro isn’t the only defender who could miss the final, with Matthijs de Ligt also facing a race against time to return from injury.
Leny Yoro stats this season
Ineos will be happy with what they’ve seen from Yoro this season, considering he missed the start of the season due to a serious injury that required surgery.
Yoro’s form in recent times proves United have one of the finest young defenders in Europe right now and managing his development will be key to future success, granted Amorim can fix the rest of the team.
In his first season at United, Yoro has thus far managed to make 32 appearances for the Red Devils.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 32 | 1 | 1 |
The youngster has also gone on the scoresheet and has an assist to his name.
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