New Delhi: Manchester United have just announced the signing of LOSC Lille’s world-class 18-year-old defender Leny Yoro in a deal worth £52 million. The French defender has signed a five-year contract at the Old Trafford, keeping him with the club till 2029. Yoro had multiple clubs vying for his signature this summer given his exploits in Ligue 1 last season, with the likes of Real Madrid, PSG, and Liverpool all interested in the 18-year-old.
He was widely expected to make a move to Real Madrid following the expiry of his contract at the end of next season as the Spanish giants are his dream club but Lille weren’t interested in letting their prized asset leave for nothing. The French club were holding out for a fee closer to what Manchester United offered which made the deal for the defender easier to go through.
The young defender has already played over 50 first-team games for Lille and his performances last season saw him find a place in Ligue 1’s team of the season, all at the tender age of 18.
A statement of intent.
✍️ @Leny_Yoro#MUFC pic.twitter.com/7u8UTRm6ST
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 19, 2024
Why was Leny Yoro so coveted in the market?
Leny Yoro was one of the best defenders in Ligue 1 last season. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
Often referred to as the ‘next Raphael Varane’, Yoro had a breakthrough 2023/24 season with Lille, playing 32 of their 34 league games and helping the side finish fourth in the league, ensuring a place in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds. His performances even garnered a spot in Theirry Henry’s preliminary squad for the Olympics but he wasn’t chosen for the final one cause of Lille’s Champions League clashes.
However, his success with the French club dates back to the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season, when he made his debut for the club aged 16 years and 181 days, becoming Lille’s second youngest player in history, overtaking Eden Hazard. He would go on to make 13 appearances that season for the Mastiffs as they finished the league season in fifth position.
Yoro shows a sense of calmness and maturity in his game, something that isn’t expected from someone his age. His defensive numbers for Lille last season were extremely impressive as well. The youngster won 25 tackles in the league all season, which accounted for a tackle-won percentage of 69.4%, while also winning more than 60% of his aerial and ground duels. Even as a defender, he poses an attacking threat in the opposition box, getting 18 touches there all season, scoring twice in the league.
How Manchester United signed him?
Leny Yoro chose to sign for the Red Devils over waiting for his dream club. (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Ever since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group’s involvement at Manchester United, they have transformed the dealings of the club. Having made several changes in the club’s structure and personnel, they have also implemented a proper plan and strategy at United when it comes to transfers. It’s widely reported that they are looking at bringing in young players at the club, who can be developed per how the club and the manager wants them.
Leny Yoro is a highly coveted prospect who’s already looking like a world-class defender, someone who can fit the mould of Manchester United. Even though clubs like Real Madrid and PSG had been monitoring the defender since the winter transfer window of last season, Manchester United weren’t fazed by the allure and financial might of these European powerhouses.
Seeing that both these clubs were stalling in their efforts to land the player, United decided to match Lille’s asking price although he had less than a year remaining on his contract, showcasing their intent to get a player who fits the criteria they’ve listed. United’s pro-activeness in getting the deal done is what swooped Yoro from under Real Madrid’s noses, as the Red Devils completed the deal within 10 days of their bid being accepted.
Even though it was common knowledge that the player was pining for a move to his dream club, Real Madrid, he was convinced by the plan presented to him by the club which was enough for him to make up his mind. Yoro said in an interview with the club after his signing was announced, “Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and showed a lot of care for me and my family.”
Red Devils have been quicker in making their moves in the market this summer, going after their top targets, regardless of whoever else is interested in them. This was evident in their move to get Joshua Zirkzee as well, as he was another young player who had multiple clubs competing for his signature and looked close to joining AC Milan at one point before deciding to join the Manchester-based club.
Why did they sign him?
The departures of Raphael Varane and Willy Kambwala left United short of defenders. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Following the exit of Raphael Varane at the end of last season and the sale of Willy Kambwala to Villareal, United were short on quality defenders at the club. Lisandro Martinez was the best defender at their disposal last season and his season was also disrupted by injuries. Add to that an ageing Johnny Evans, a lacklustre Victor Lindelof and the ever-so-polarizing Harry Maguire, and Manchester United’s defence was in major need of a re-shuffle.
The inclusion of the ‘next Raphael Varane’ to replace the outgoing Raphael Varane was an extremely smart move by the club even though the player would’ve been available for much cheaper next season because they needed a quality defender at their club and they needed one yesterday. With Yoro joining Martinez and the potential departures of at least one of Lindelof or Maguire, there is room for another defender to be added.
Erik Ten Hag’s side after still looking at bringing in at least one of Jarrad Branthwaite or Mathias De Ligt and with their inclusion, this suddenly looks like a monstrous defence. So while just signing Yoro doesn’t completely fix United’s defensive problems, it is a massive step in the right direction for the club.
Manchester United have beaten the likes of Real Madrid and PSG to the signing of a world class defender, signaling their intent for the upcoming season. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today