'Man Utd need to be patient with Leny Yoro'

Cameron Smith

19 Jul 2024 09:45 BST
3 min read

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has hinted that Manchester United must be patient with Leny Yoro following his €62 million move to Old Trafford.

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The 18-year-old was expected to join Real Madrid, but Lille accepted Man Utd’s offer and the Frenchman was confirmed as a Red Devils player on Thursday.

Yoro has become Man Utd’s 11th-most expensive signing of all time, although he will rise to ninth place on this list if the €8m add-ons are paid.

The teenager made 60 first-team appearances during his time at Lille and he established himself as one of the most promising young defenders in world football during his time in France.

In fact, Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi is the only teenage defender with a higher Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) than Yoro in the world. The Spaniard has an ETV of €28.7m, while Yoro sits at €28.5m.

What has Thierry Henry said?

Back in March, France U23 head coach Henry was quick to praise Yoro, but stated that his age means he remains prone to an error - something Man Utd fans will need to be wary of.

“We often talk about Leny. He is having an exemplary start to his career,” Henry said (as per Metro).

“To establish himself in Lille as he is doing [is impressive]. He always has some young reactions, and that is completely normal. It comes slowly, you make mistakes and sometimes you get embarrassed.

“[But] he goes on to play one match after another, he starts quite often and quite often is good. It’s really good for him. He is professional, he’s a good guy, well-educated.

“I like him. He performs well. Afterwards, there are always things to refine, but that’s completely normal. Frankly, it’s really a more than positive progression.”

Yoro is Man Utd’s second summer signing, following the arrival of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.

In addition, the Red Devils have reportedly agreed personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte, while they remain interested in Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.

Read more about: Premier League, Man Utd, Leny Yoro