Who is Leny Yoro and what can Manchester United fans expect from him?

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

On Thursday, Manchester United officially confirmed the signing of French youngster Leny Yoro from Ligue 1 side Lille for £52 million.

Yoro, widely regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in the world, flew to England on Wednesday for his medical with the Red Devils.

His promising start to his professional career drew interest from several top clubs, including Real Madrid. However, Manchester United beat other competitors to secure this remarkable talent.

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Early days

Born on November 13, 2005, in Saint-Maurice, France, Leny Olivier Yoro has an intriguing background. He spent his early years in Alfortville and is of Ivorian descent through his father.

Yoro began playing football at the age of five with Alfortville, where he spent one season before moving with his family to the Lille area. He continued his football education in Villeneuve-d’Ascq before teaming up with Lille’s youth system in 2017.

Lille

Yoro is an 18-year-old centre-back who became Lille’s second-ever youngest player, after Eden Hazard. He made his debut for Lille at just 16 years old in May 2022. Over the last two years, Yoro has amassed 60 appearances for Lille, including 44 in the last campaign.

His contributions helped Lille secure a fourth-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, with the team boasting the third-best defensive record in the league.

Standing at 6 ft 3, Yoro is a formidable defender known for his aerial prowess, winning 64% of his aerial duels last term. He excels at sweeping behind the defensive line, using his excellent anticipation to intercept the ball from attackers at crucial moments.

His skills have made him a sought-after player, and it was widely believed that Real Madrid was his preferred destination. However, Manchester United has successfully enticed the defender to join their ranks.

United agreed on a fee worth over £50 million for Yoro days ago. This transfer represents a significant investment in a player seen as a cornerstone for the future.

The initial agreement between Lille and Manchester United was reportedly reached last week for £52 million. As Yoro prepares to don the red jersey, United fans eagerly anticipate the impact he will have on their defense.

Why United landed Leny Yoro

Leny Yoro’s signing is a strategic move by Manchester United to bolster their defense with one of football’s brightest young talents.

His impressive track record at Lille, combined with his physical attributes and defensive acumen, make him a perfect fit for the Premier League giants.

As he steps onto the Old Trafford pitch, the football world will be watching to see how this young prodigy shapes the future of Manchester United’s defense.

Yoro’s level of maturity in terms of his play is not talked about enough. His reading of the game – which helps with timely tackles – is impeccable.

Arguably, he is the best young defensive prospect in the whole of Europe.

Speaking to Sky Sports, French football expert Jonathan Johnson said: “This is a big upgrade for Manchester United in terms of building for the future.”

Johnson describes Yoro as a defender who plays “like a veteran.”

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