Who is Leny Yoro? All you need to know about Man Utd's new teenage star

A transfer saga that threatened to rumble on deep into the transfer window has come to a surprisingly quick conclusion.

Despite looking destined for Real Madrid, Lille wonderkid Leny Yoro has opted to sign for Manchester United instead, completing a £52m transfer and signing a long-term contract at Old Trafford.

The teenager, who was also linked with rivals Liverpool, enjoyed a tremendous breakout season in France during 2023/24, leaving United fans excited by the prospect of one of Europe's most promising talents turning out at Old Trafford in the coming years..

But what do supporters need to know about young Yoro?

Let's take a look at him in closer detail...

Who is Leny Yoro?

Yoro had always been marked as one to watch. The 6'3 centre-back signed his first professional contract with Lille at the beginning of 2022, making his debut for the French side just a few months later during a 3-1 win over Nice. Donning the Lille jersey at just 16 years of age, he leapfrogged Eden Hazard to become the second-youngest debutant in the club's history.

Yoro's rise to the first-team squad was impressive, but he wasn't immediately thrown in at the deep end. He played only 15 times during the 2022/23 season, ten of which were starts, and it quickly became clear that the kid was just a little bit special.

Showcasing exceptional maturity for a teenager, Yoro was then a regular for Lille last term.

How did Leny Yoro perform with Lille last season?

While Yoro had made a number of appearances for the senior team already, 2023/24 was when he truly emerged. Playing in 32 and starting 30 of Lille's 34 Ligue 1 matches, the starlet quickly established himself a trustworthy member of a rigid defence.

Under manager Paulo Fonseca, who has since joined AC Milan, Lille enjoyed a terrific campaign in which they finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League qualifying rounds. Their success was largely built on a sturdy backline, with only two sides conceding fewer goals (34). One of those was champions Paris Saint-Germain (33).

In matches in which Yoro played 60 minutes or more in Ligue 1 last term, Lille kept an impressive 13 clean sheets, while the 18-year-old's tall frame helped him bag two goals in the French top flight.

Yoro also got some valuable European experience in the Conference League. He played seven times in the competition proper as Lille reached the quarter-finals, losing to Aston Villa on penalties.

Has Leny Yoro been capped by France?

Yoro has plenty of time to earn significant minutes for France's senior squad - despite their array of quality centre-back options - but he is yet to earn a first-team cap. However, he has played regularly for Les Bleus' youth teams, including four appearances for the Under-21 side.

Yoro was initially called up for the 2024 Olympics by Thierry Henry, but was denied the opportunity to represent his country in Paris due to Lille's commitments in Champions League qualifying.

Tune in to 90min's YouTube channel as Scott Saunders gets the expert lowdown on Leny Yoro from French football journalist Quentin Gesp.

What are his strengths?

To play as an elite centre-back in the Premier League, a defender must be capable with the ball at his feet. This is where Yoro shines brightest, boasting an incredible passing range and excellent accuracy.

Out of all Ligue 1 centre-backs last term, the wonderkid ranked in the top five per cent for pass accuracy (92.1%) and top two per cent for short pass completion (95.6%). He was dispossessed on average just 0.03 times per 90 minutes, highlighting his press resistance.

Despite his build, Yoro is also deceptively quick. His long strides help him cover ground easily and he boasts excellent anticipation when predicting opposition attacks. This in-game intelligence means he doesn't need to engage in physical duels as regularly as his teammates.

Think more Rio Ferdinand than Nemanja Vidic.

What are his weaknesses?

Yoro is still just 18 years of age, leaving him plenty of room to improve in the future. However, heading into the cut-throat Premier League, the Frenchman may have to work on his defensive tussles.

In Ligue 1 last season, he ranked in the bottom 25% of centre-backs for tackles per match, averaging less than one tackle won. Compare his tackle won percentage (54.8%) to another United target in Jarrad Branthwaite (72.6%) and it's clear he will need to adapt to English football.

Is Leny Yoro worth the money?

In the modern market, signing one of the world's most exciting young defenders for £52m is not bad business, especially when you consider how poorly United have spent their money in previous windows. Yoro's potential is enormous and he could well blossom into one of the best within the next four or five years.

However, signing such a young player with relatively little experience is always a gamble. Considering his contract with Lille was set to expire next summer, £52m is still a very large fee, and one that was splashed to beat Real Madrid in the race for his signature.

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