Ahead of Manchester United’s pre-season clash with Real Betis, a video emerged which sent a shiver down spines and lead to a nasty feeling of deja vu.
One year after Kobbie Mainoo’s breakout pre-season was ruined by an injury which delayed his senior debut until November, £52 million signing Leny Yoro was spotted limping along with crutches in his hands and a protective boot on the left foot he damaged during the recent 2-1 defeat by Arsenal.
So far, confirmation of the extent of Yoro’s injury has not been forthcoming.
A Manchester United fanbase who were so excited by his arrival – the Red Devils fighting off competition from Real Madrid, PSG, Liverpool and more for arguably Europe’s best teenage centre-half – will be praying that his absence is not quite as long as Mainoo’s was back in 2023.
Still, the sight of Yoro in a protective boot just two (unofficial) games into his Man United career will do little to dispel the notion that this is a club cursed by misfortune.
Manchester United’s injury issues hit Leny Yoro
Did Erik ten Hag smash a whole hall of mirrors on his way to Old Trafford from Ajax? Did he walk underneath 13 ladders while stepping on the crack of every pavement slab underfoot?
Man United suffered 66 different injuries during a traumatic 2023/24 campaign.
And the blows suffered by not only Yoro but also Rasmus Hojlund – who opened the scoring against Arsenal but limped off soon after – may have Ten Hag on the phone to the nearest priest and scheduling an exorcism of Carrington.
Even the mere association with Man United appears to leave you at risk.
Willy Kambwala swapped the Red Devils for Villarreal in mid-July, moving to La Liga for a fee of around £8.5 million. But, like Yoro, Kambwala may be facing up to the prospect of a delayed start to the new campaign himself after picking up an untimely knock of his own in pre-season.
Difficult start for Willy Kambwala at Villarreal
According to the Castellon Plaza, the France youth star is ‘suffering’ from a ‘physical problem’.
El Alcoraz writes that Kambwala’s progress will be monitored by Villarreal’s medical staff over the next few weeks, meaning he is likely to miss the friendlies with Nottingham Forest, Sion and Brighton and may face a race against time for the La Liga opener with Atletico Madrid on August 19th.
Kambwala – alongside star striker Alexander Sorloth and one-time United-linked left-back Alfonso Pedraza – was conspicuous by his absence as Villarreal’s first-team squad was pictured being put their paces on Wednesday morning, via the club’s official X account.
“I’m really looking forward to starting a new adventure at an incredible club like Villarreal,” Kambwala told the Yellow Submarine website upon his official unveiling a fortnight ago.
“I am proud and excited to play here, in this stadium and with the fans. I hope we enjoy ourselves together.
“The most important thing in football is to win and to have a good mentality. I promise the fans that I will give my best in training and in matches. I want to win and excite the fans. I’m ready to fight for this club and represent the fans every week.”
Man United, interestingly, included a buy-back clause in Kambwala’s Villarreal contract.
The former Sochaux starlet did impress the likes of Ten Hag and Raphael Varane when given a chance last term – particularly in April’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool – but moved on in search of more regular minutes.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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