Manchester United will surely be in the market for at least one new centre back this summer and Rio Ferdinand may have pointed the club in the right direction.
United’s defensive problems have been detailed all season and this is a wide-reaching problem.
Erik ten Hag’s tactical approach has left United exposed, so we can’t pin all of the blame on United’s defenders.
Still, United have the worst record in the Premier League for shots per game conceded – an average of 17.9 per game.
That is even worse than Sheffield United and Luton Town and it just can’t continue if United have any genuine aspirations of returning to the top.
New defenders will be targeted this summer, especially with Raphael Varane potentially moving on, and the belief is that Ineos will look to land younger talents.
United have often paid big money and given huge contracts to experienced players, but haven’t received value for money.
Going for younger players is likely to be a key focus for Ineos and one wonderkid is already thought to be a target…
Rio Ferdinand on Lenny Yoro
Reports back in December suggested that United had made initial contact over a move to land Lille defender Leny Yoro.
It was suggested that Lille value Yoro at a huge £78million, leaving Ineos to dig very, very deep if they want to strike a deal.
The 18-year-old has been tipped for a big transfer by his own manager, Paulo Fonseca, and he has now been praised by Rio Ferdinand.
The former United defender was asked on Reddit to name defenders who remind him of himself.
Ferdinand named Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba, two of the Premier League’s very best, as well as Lille ace Yoro.
Ferdinand noted that he sees ‘similar traits’ in Yoro and believes that he will become one of the top centre backs in the world.
“A young boy at Lille, Lenny Yoro. He’s going to be one of the best centre backs about as well. I’ve seen similar traits. He’s going to be a top defender,” said Ferdinand.
Ferdinand comments should spark United move for Yoro
One unnamed Premier League scout also compared Yoro to Ferdinand, so it’s interesting that the former United star sees the same kind of talent and potential.
United would surely love to have a player of Ferdinand’s calibre at the back and Yoro may just present that opportunity once again.
Of course, all we can see with Yoro right now is his early promise and the potential to become a star; he’s not a sure thing and spending £78million would be a bold move.
United made Ferdinand the most expensive British footballer in history back in 2002 though, splashing major cash for the time on a 23-year-old Ferdinand.
That investment proved to be money well spent as Ferdinand racked up more than 450 appearances for United and won six league titles.
Yoro’s pace and reading of the game are very reminiscent of Ferdinand and that Ferdinand himself has spotted those traits says a lot about the teenager’s qualities.
Ferdinand has been there and done it all, so if he sees Yoro as being similar to himself, it should be a sign to United to push for his signature.
Gone are the days of United paying up for the likes of Varane and Casemiro, whose best football appears to be behind them.
United must now focus on landing young talents who can grow into stars at Old Trafford with Yoro fitting into that perfectly.
We have seen United ignore a number recommendations over the years; Alphonso Davies, Son Heung-min, Joao Cancelo, the list goes on.
Ferdinand’s comments should on Yoro shouldn’t be overlooked though and the prospect of landing the new Rio Ferdinand – even for a huge price – should greatly appeal to Ineos this summer.
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