The Player Who is a Beacon of Hope Amidst Manchester United's Struggles


Despite Manchester United’s struggles this season, 19-year-old French center-back Leny Yoro’s return from injury and huge potential has been a reason for optimism.

Fulham FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League
Fulham FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League | Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

“Leny will surely be the future of this club. He is a top talent,” were the words of Manchester United's head coach, Rubin Amorim, after the 3-1 win against Southampton a few weeks ago. In a game that required a moment (or three) of brilliance from Amad Diallo, Amorim pointed out that Yoro was the right defender capable of stopping Southampton’s fast forwards.

Last season, Manchester United struggled to keep their key defenders fit. This led to aging players like Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans having to play many games together. Manchester United was adamant about strengthening this position in the summer and brought in Dutch defender Matthijs De Ligt from Bayern Munich and Yoro from Lille.

De Ligt has made 21 appearances in the Premier League this season and has cemented himself as one of the key players in the squad. Yoro, who had to wait his turn for an appearance in a United shirt after sustaining an ankle injury in July, has now made 10 appearances in the league since his return, six of which came off the bench.

While Amorim has chosen to rotate the three center-backs in his position, Yoro has managed to impress every time he has come on the pitch. The young center-back has excellent passing ability, with a pass completion percentage of 92.6%, placing him in the 94th percentile according to FBRef. He is also good at interceptions, often choosing not to tackle his opponents.

Manchester United recorded an important 1-0 away win against Fulham on Sunday as the team recovers from the previous week’s loss to Brighton. After the game, Yoro posted on social media saying “ More United than ever”. 

Manchester United’s form this season has caused concern among many supporters. With changes in leadership and the introduction of a new head coach in Amorim, there have been plenty of turnovers. The January transfer window has also brought more questions than answers, with the future of Marcus Rashford hanging in the balance. Despite all of these turmoils, Yoro is a reason for optimism, and what we have seen so far indicates that he can only get better.

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