Leny Yoro enters his third season at Manchester United with plenty to prove, yet the young French defender has looked like the team’s standout performer in pre-season thus far.
Michael Carrick has ensured his available key players at Manchester United get plenty of minutes early in pre-season, even if it means deploying them out of position.
Take Leny Yoro and Jacob Devaney as prime examples.
Yoro has spent most of his time on the pitch in the first two games at right-back, while Devaney has come on in both games at half-time to play at centre-back, despite being most familiar with a midfield role.
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Leny Yoro is gearing up for a key season at Man Utd
Despite playing out of position during pre-season, Yoro has looked comfortable at right-back. That is a testament to the 20-year-old’s versatility as he aims to establish himself at the highest level following his first two seasons at Old Trafford.
With United’s 2026 World Cup stars yet to return to Carrington, Carrick named a line-up similar to the one that lost 1-0 to Wrexham for Saturday’s 5-0 win over Rosenborg.
Yoro again started at right-back, with Ayden Heaven partnering Harry Maguire at centre-back. He shifted back to his natural centre-back role at the start of the second half when Jaydon Kamason replaced Maguire.
After watching both of United’s first two pre-season matches, I’d argue that Yoro has looked the sharpest player, which bodes well ahead of what is going to be a big season for the young defender.
Despite being 20 and having time on his side to become an elite defender, United fans will want to see more from the France U21 international in the 2026/27 campaign.
Heaven has shown more in the first team since joining United than Yoro, despite costing a mere £1.5m to sign from Arsenal.
Yoro is showing signs that he is ready to step up – no matter where Carrick wants him to play.
Of course, these early games are about fitness, but Yoro isn’t showing the same level of rustiness as some of his peers.
A strong season could see Yoro become a regular in the United first team and the French squad now that Zinedine Zidane is set to replace Didier Deschamps as national team head coach.
- ⚡️ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Leny Yoro has played at right-back in Manchester United’s first two pre-season matches
- Yoro has been United’s standout performer on tour
- It’s shaping up to be a key season in Yoro’s career
Which Manchester United academy star impressed you the most vs Rosenborg?
Shea Lacey, Jacob Devaney, Harry Amass and Ethan Williams all scored, but there were so many impressive performances!
Where does Leny Yoro rank among Man Utd’s most expensive defenders?
Yoro is one of United’s top five most expensive defenders.
The most expensive on the list is Maguire, who cost £80m in a 2019 transfer from Leicester City.
Maguire is followed by Matthijs de Ligt in second place, after costing £55m in 2024.
However, Yoro arrived the same summer as United’s third most expensive defender, in a £52m deal from Lille.
The final two on United’s most expensive defenders list are Lisandro Martinez (£48.3m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£50m).
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