90min
·23 July 2024
Leny Yoro names Premier League star as one of toughest opponents
![Article image:Leny Yoro names Premier League star as one of toughest opponents](https://image-service.onefootball.com/transform?w=280&h=210&dpr=2&image=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.minutemediacdn.com%2Fimage%2Fupload%2Fc_crop%2Cw_2911%2Ch_1637%2Cx_0%2Cy_156%2Fc_fill%2Cw_1440%2Car_16%3A9%2Cf_auto%2Cq_auto%2Cg_auto%2Fimages%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F90min_en_international_web%2F01j3fmwyxz07g104msvw.jpg)
In partnership with
Yahoo sports90min
·23 July 2024
Manchester United's newest star Leny Yoro has identified Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins as one of the toughest opponents he has faced in his career so far.
The Red Devils announced the signing of 18-year-old wonderkid Yoro last week after completing a £52m transfer. One of the highest-rated talents in Europe, the teenage centre-back agreed a long-term contract that will see him don United colours until 2029.
He's already taken well to life at United, featuring in the club's pre-season friendly victory over Rangers on Saturday. The defender is now looking forward to impressing in the Premier League and has singled out a certain Villa star as one of the toughest players he has shared the pitch with.
In his first interview as a United player, Yoro told club media: "I really liked to play against, of course, [Kylian] Mbappe. It was a really big, big, big, deal, so yeah for me it helped me a lot to improve myself.
Watkins starred at Euro 2024 for England / Richard Pelham/GettyImages
"It was good against [Aston Villa star] Ollie Watkins too, because this is a big striker here."
Yoro played against Watkins during last season's Europa Conference League - during which Villa defeated Lille on penalties at the quarter-final stage.
The Frenchman formed an important back of Lille's backline, but was unable to stop Watkins from firing a goal home in the opening leg of the clash.
The pair will soon meet in the Premier League too, with United set to face Villa on 5 October.