Manchester United have been dealt a cruel blow having seen new signing Leny Yoro go down with an injury which could see him miss around three months of action.
Excitement has surrounded Leny Yoro since signing from Lille in July.
The wonderkid defender has shown huge potential in France and Manchester United pulled off quite the coup by signing him.
Yoro has already suffered a blow though as he suffered a foot injury against Arsenal.
Reports now suggest that Yoro is out for around three months, meaning the teenager faces a wait for his Premier League bow.
United were hoping to see Yoro make an instant impact but his injury may force the club back into the transfer market.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United latest
Yoro’s arrival was a huge deal for United but it may not have been the centre back signing many were expecting.
United had been chasing a deal for Matthijs de Ligt, attempting to reunite with Bayern Munich defender with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
Bayern have rejected United’s bid for De Ligt, believed to be worth around £30million, as they hold out for around £42million.
De Ligt wants to wait for United though with Fabrizio Romano claiming that he has snubbed other interest in recent days.
United may need to raise some cash to make a move for De Ligt, having invested in Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, but a move could materialise soon.
Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy suggests that United’s move for a new centre back – most likely De Ligt – ‘will accelerate’ with Yoro now on the sidelines.
Reddy highlights that injuries to Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund are ‘massive’ blows for Ten Hag, but signing De Ligt is an ‘easier’ deal than landing Everton centre back Jarrad Branthwaite.
Reddy believes that it would now be a surprise if United don’t bring in another centre back before the transfer deadline.
“It’s a massive double blow to Erik ten Hag’s plans for the new campaign and heightens United’s need to go and fortify the heart of their defence,” said Reddy. “We know that United, even prior to Yoro’s injury, have ideally wanted another centre-back. They’ve pursued Jarrad Branthwaite through the summer. His price tag has proved prohibitive.”
“They’ve tried to line up a deal with Matthijs de Ligt, which looks like the easier one to do. So that now will accelerate. It would be hugely surprising if Manchester United do not add another defender to their squad before the window closes,” she added.
Yoro injury could alter United’s Bayern talks
De Ligt is not the only Bayern defender United have been chasing.
Noussair Mazraoui has asked to leave Bayern as United look to finalise a £16million deal for the right back.
Some have wondered whether United would push for a deal to bring in both De Ligt and Mazraoui one fell swoop.
Reports in Germany have played down that idea but United may be forced to park a deal for Mazraoui in order to focus on De Ligt again.
United don’t have endless money to spend this summer and De Ligt may be the more pressing signing after Yoro’s injury.
Signing Mazraoui would bring depth to United’s full back options on both sides, but there are other options such as Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw.
Centre back may be a more immediate need for United now and focusing funds on De Ligt over Mazraoui may now be in mind for Ineos.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
