Leny Yoro may finally make his long-awaited debut for Manchester United when they face Arsenal this Wednesday, with head coach Ruben Amorim expressing his enthusiasm for showcasing this “special talent.”
The highly-rated defender, who was signed from Lille for £52 million, has been sidelined since sustaining a foot injury during pre-season that required surgery to repair a broken metatarsal. This setback prevented him from making any first-team appearances under Erik ten Hag, the manager who brought him to the club.
However, after three weeks of intensive training, the 19-year-old centre-back appears to be nearing full fitness, and Amorim is optimistic about Yoro’s potential involvement in the upcoming Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, scheduled to kick off at 20:15 GMT.
In his pre-match press conference, Amorim hinted at the possibility of including Yoro in the squad, stating, “I feel he is in a good moment now; his fitness has improved.” He emphasized the importance of being cautious, given that Yoro has had limited training sessions with the first team and has mostly been working with a small group of players.
Prior to joining United, Yoro attracted interest from several top clubs, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Liverpool. Dan Ashworth, the club's sporting director, praised him as "one of the most exciting young defenders in world football." Amorim echoed this sentiment, highlighting Yoro's speed and modern defensive capabilities, which would be beneficial for high-pressing tactics. “He is very good with the ball, and I’m genuinely excited to see him play,” Amorim added.
Despite the excitement surrounding his potential debut, Amorim noted the need to manage Yoro’s workload carefully in the initial stages. “We need to ensure he adjusts well, as we haven’t had many training sessions together,” he remarked.
Negotiations regarding Yoro’s transfer had their challenges, with reports indicating that there was still “work to be done” before finalizing the deal. Nonetheless, Yoro’s arrival in England is seen as a strong signal of his commitment to United. While PSG and Liverpool remained interested, both clubs believed that Real Madrid had the upper hand in the race for his signature. Nevertheless, Manchester United's persistence throughout the transfer process has positioned them well to secure one of Europe’s top young talents.
Since Amorim took over, United has remained unbeaten in three matches, including a commanding 4-0 victory against Everton. However, he recognizes that facing Arsenal will present the toughest test of his tenure thus far.
The new manager seems to be winning over the fans, who have already begun to show their support with chants resonating throughout Old Trafford. Responding to the attention, Amorim said, “I appreciate the connection with the supporters, but I prefer they chant for the players. They are the ones on the pitch, and I’m just the coach.”
He concluded by acknowledging the importance of delivering results to maintain that rapport with the fans: “I feel honored by their support, but we know we need to keep producing positive outcomes.”
Zainab Y.
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