Man Utd target tipped to 'reach the summits' by ex-Red Devils star

Tom Weber

• Updated: 17 Feb 2024 16:57 GMT
• 3 min read

Former Manchester United academy star Angel Gomes has waxed lyrical about Lille teammate Leny Yoro.

The French defender has become one of Europe's most in-demand players this season. A regular starter for Lille since age 17, the towering centre-back has gone from strength to strength this term and is now being courted by Europe's elite.

The 18-year-old has attracted the attention of the likes of Real Madrid, PSG, Chelsea and Man Utd. PSG are looking to make him one of the marquee signings of their post-Kylian Mbappe era, while Real Madrid and Chelsea have been prolifically hoovering up the world's biggest and brightest talents in recent years.

As for Man Utd, Erik ten Hag is desperate to use Sir Jim Ratcliffe's incoming funds to overhaul his defence and Yoro could marshall the Red Devils' backline for the next decade. Signing him won't be easy for any of his suitors, but a summer departure is looking increasingly likely as his contract expires in 2025, meaning that Lille will have to sell.

Yoro tipped for superstadom

With players as young and impressive as Yoro, there is a risk of getting caught up in the hype. However, the Frenchman is, by all accounts, destined for the very top of the game.

This has now been reiterated by Lille teammate Angel Gomes, who knows a thing or two about being a highly-rated wonderkid, having previously starred in Man Utd's academy but never managing to break into the first team.

“As soon as he arrived in the group, I understood that he was going to reach the summits,” he told Eurosport. “When I discovered the pros at the age of 16 at Manchester United, I understood that it was different. He already had the right temperament."

“And that’s not normal for a 16 or 17-year-old player arriving. It’s like he’s already an experienced player. And it showed in the way he trained, the way he behaved. His progress was obvious.”