MU's Defense: Once Criticized, Yoro Has Now "Transformed"

Leny Yoro has experienced ups and downs since joining MU. Once criticized, the 2005-born defender has now visibly progressed.

Leny Yoro's first season at MU was a "trial by fire." Upon arriving in Manchester, he had no idea he would become part of the club's worst campaign in 51 years.

Yoro's Journey of Ups and Downs

Yoro suffered a foot fracture during preseason, delaying his debut until December 2024. Later, he helped MU reach the Europa League final. However, Yoro and his teammates lost 0-1 to Tottenham in the final at San Mames.

This season, Yoro lost his starting spot after a poor performance against Crystal Palace last November. In that match, Yoro conceded a penalty in the first half and was completely overwhelmed in the physical duel with striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

It was unsurprising that the French player faced criticism. Recently, former midfielder Paul Scholes drew attention by suggesting MU should sell Leny Yoro, though he acknowledged the player's potential and need for more time.

It's evident that playing for a big club like MU, which faces many issues, brings immense pressure for a player who only turned 20 last November.

After a difficult autumn and winter period playing as an off-center defender in a three-man system under Ruben Amorim, Yoro found more stability in Carrick's four-man defensive setup.

Yoro lacks Lisandro Martinez's progressive passing ability and Maguire's superb aerial prowess. However, he possesses situational awareness, timely reactions, and the ability to control large spaces.

Yoro worked with assistants Evans and Woodgate during MU training sessions, which improved the French player's mentality, both with and without the ball.

The Progress of Leny Yoro

In previous matches, opponents often set up pressing formations to force MU to pass to Yoro, believing he hesitated to pass forward. But in the win against Aston Villa, Yoro made every effort to execute line-breaking passes through midfield.

Yoro shared about the coaching methods that boosted his confidence: "We talk a lot with them and do additional drills. They explain many things to us. Having them in the team is a huge plus. It helps us improve every day."

"I work extensively with video analysis and on-field drills regarding opponents. The coaching staff knows exactly what they're doing, which helps me greatly," Yoro stated.

The Athletic's writer Michael Cox once proposed that some defenders belong to the "hunter" group (like Maguire, Martinez, De Ligt, who are most comfortable tracking ball carriers) while others are "cat" types (excelling through positioning, balance, and timing). Yoro belongs to the second group and, while playing for Lille, was compared to Raphael Varane and Rio Ferdinand.

By using a "hunter" and a "cat" in a four-man defense, Coach Carrick has two skilled players who can cover temporary gaps in the team structure.

In the last four Premier League matches, Yoro played full 90 minutes for MU, with only one match resulting in a defeat. That's not a perfect statistic for a 20-year-old, but it shows his progress.

After the chaotic start of the season, MU is now in the Top 3. If Yoro can help MU secure Champions League qualification next season, it would be a significant achievement for this young French player.

Then, MU won't need to hastily sell Yoro as Paul Scholes advised. Ultimately, MU brought Yoro in to build a solid defender for the future, and currently, Yoro is on the right track.