Rio Ferdinand: Man United legend offers assessment of Leny Yoro | OneFootball

Rio Ferdinand believes Leny Yoro remains one of Manchester United’s most exciting prospects despite the centre-back being unfavoured by Michael Carrick towards the end of last season.

Slow Start

Signed from under the noses of Real Madrid in 2024 for an initial £52 million, Yoro arrived at Old Trafford with a reputation as one of the best defenders of his generation after an impressive breakthrough at LOSC Lille.

Former defender turned pundit Ferdinand was instrumental in helping the deal across the line, revealing the club “asked” him to speak directly to Yoro.

“I’ve not got a fixed role or anything. I was asked on the Leny Yoro situation, ‘You’re a centre-back Rio, he’s a young, Black boy, I think you’d be the right person to speak to him’,” the 47-year-old tells The Athletic.

“This has happened with multiple players before, some I’ve not spoken about. It’s because I love the club and I want the best.”

But things quickly soured for the France under-21 international as he fractured the metatarsal in his left foot during a pre-season match against Arsenal, just weeks after becoming a Red Devil. The injury ruled the 20-year-old out for around four months, during which time the manager who had brought him to M16, Erik ten Hag, was replaced by Ruben Amorim – with a completely new system to adapt to.

Once back to full fitness, Yoro quickly gained the trust of the Portuguese tactician as the right centre-back in his back three, making 21 appearances in the Premier League and playing a key part in the run to the Europa League final. In that abject 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao, Yoro was one of the few United players who could hold his head high as Heung-Min Son lifted the trophy on the San Mamés pitch.

Second Season Syndrome

Yoro’s second season was a turbulent one, mirroring the chaos which engulfed United in Amorim’s first full campaign as head coach. While he started the year as first choice, he lost his place after a series of uncertain performances, notably against Crystal Palace and his hulking compatriot, Jean-Philippe Mateta.

In January, Amorim’s tumultuous tenure was brought to an end after an explosive fallout with sporting director Jason Wilcox, which led to Michael Carrick arriving as interim coach in his place. Again, Yoro had seen a change in the dugout lead to a change in the defensive system he was playing in, with Carrick immediately reverting back to a back four, aided by assistant coach Steve Holland, who is renowned for his defensive acumen.

This switch removed one centre-back from the pitch, thus limiting the French starlet’s opportunities ahead of more senior teammates. He lost his place under Carrick after a poor showing in the 2-1 defeat to Leeds United, despite Matthijs de Ligt having been absent with a back injury since November and both Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez being ruled out with suspensions in April.

However, Ferdinand is adamant Yoro retains “huge potential” and his struggles have stemmed as much from the chaos around him as his own performance levels: “The circumstances at the club probably hindered him a little bit.”

In March, United’s former captain offered the youngster advice to pick his battles on the pitch more wisely, as he failed to do so against Mateta at Selhurst Park.

“Leny Yoro right now is trying to fight too many fights in a game, when physically he’s not starting at the same place. They’re all much more physically developed. Most of the players he’s playing against, and No 9s especially, are stronger than him.

“So, then you’ve got to pick your battles. Pick your duel. Which one are you actually going to have if you’ve got a 60-40 in your favour? Then you go all in.”

Yoro is understood to remain highly rated by Carrick and his coaching staff, while sources stress the club are “impressed by his eagerness to improve and the extra work he puts into both his physical development and recovery,” The Athletic reports.

Similarly, the player himself is said to “motivated” for the new campaign and has already been training individually over the summer in preparation for pre-season.

Final Thoughts

With United expected to employ a more proactive and aggressive approach under Carrick as permanent head coach next season, a tall, mobile defender who can play out from the back will be an essential bedrock for the team.

Given De Ligt’s return to the fold still unclear, and Maguire and Martinez both struggling to play in high lines, there is an opportunity for Yoro to ‘go all in’ and claim the starting berth under Carrick at the heart of defence.

Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images

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