There is a long list of potentially world-class centre-backs in world football, but none of them stack up against the strengths and qualities of Leny Yoro.
If you were asked to build a centre-back from the ground up, chances are it would end up resembling Leny Yoro, as the Frenchman has everything needed to become a world-leading defender.
Yoro was signed by United for £52m, a fee which was steep and a huge risk at the time, overpaying with confidence in the potential, and he looks like he will be worth every penny and then some.
Injuries plagued the opening half of the season, but his performances for Manchester United were largely very promising, and he learned from his errors to develop and improve almost on a game-by-game basis.
Yoro has all of the physical traits to be an excellent defender, while his technical traits are also off the charts. But what makes him such a sensational player for Manchester United?
What makes Leny Yoro such a special defensive talent for Manchester United
The signing of Yoro in 2024 was a serious coup, beating Real Madrid and Liverpool to his signing, which stunned Europe. United viewed Yoro as generational, and being just 19, he has proven why.
Yoro locked down a first-team spot, having been incredibly consistent this season when he has played for United.
The defender has been excellent against all opponents, winning a remarkable 18 of his last 20 tackles attempted.
The speed, strength, height, intelligence, and on-ball ability of Yoro make him almost unplayable, resembling a Virgil van Dijk in his prime, which is a scary thought considering how good Yoro might become by the time he is 26.
Yoro will only continue to improve, and the end result will make his £52m cost look dirt cheap. But you don’t have to take our word for it, his teammates and coaches agree.
What the Manchester United players, coaches and legends think of Leny Yoro
Earlier this season, Ruben Amorim tipped Yoro to become among the best in the world, predicting he would only continue to get better.
“I think [Leny Yoro] can be one of the best centre-backs in the world. He improved a lot with the physicality. In the small things, he’s stronger; in set pieces, he’s getting the ball quite a lot. He’s going to be much better this season.”
Ferdinand has backed Yoro to become the best defender in the world in the near future.
“Saliba will be the best defender in the world when Virgil van Dijk gives up the post. It could be a year, or three but the only person who I think will rival him is Leny Yoro.
“To be injured and to come in and not just “do quite well”. He got in two situations one-on-one when Arsenal entered the box and he was on his own, he dealt with them both and dealt with them really well.”
“It was great to see another young centre-back come on, two or three years younger [than Saliba], and look so clean in the defensive situation right away in the Premier League.”
Bruno Fernandes labelled Yoro ‘world-class’ last season, a prediction which looks certain to become true over the coming years.
Additionally, Yoro’s centre-back partner Matthijs de Ligt has hailed him
“Obviously, I saw some footage of him,” said De Ligt.
“I think he’s a really great talent. He has a lot of tools to become a really good defender, a really good modern defender.
“He’s fast, he’s good with the ball, he’s quick, he’s tall, he’s good in headers. He’s now back from injury, so I think it’s really important for the team to have a lot of options.
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