Revealed: Why Yoro picked Man Utd ahead of Real Madrid

Robin Bairner

• 9 Sept 2024 08:25 BST
• 3 min read

Leny Yoro might not have made his Manchester United debut, but as the Red Devils’ most expensive summer signing, he is one of the most exciting acquisitions they have made in recent years.

United had to fight off Real Madrid to sign the 18-year-old centre-back, with Los Blancos having been strong favourites to land the Lille player before Erik ten Hag’s side spectacularly swooped.

The Red Devils paid €62 million to the Ligue 1 club for the teenager’s services, although he has since sustained a foot injury that is primed to keep him out of the team for the first few months of his career at Old Trafford – one of the reasons that PSG backed out of signing the player for such a fee.

READ MORE: Man Utd issue Ten Hag sack date

Current ETV

Leny Yoro

D (C)

Man Utd

Leny Yoro

D (C)

Man Utd

€35.5M

ETV Range

€26.6M - €44.4M

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Marca has revealed how Man Utd, meanwhile, beat Real Madrid to win the race for Yoro, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €35.5 million.

According to the Spanish publication, it was purely a financial decision from the young Frenchman.

Madrid were only willing to offer him a contract worth €2.5m per year whereas at Man Utd Yoro is earning €9.5m.

READ MORE: Man Utd ready to break transfer rule to sign free agent in ‘embarrassing’ situation

Yoro regrets

This decision not to pay Yoro a greater salary is coming under scrutiny in the Spanish capital, where they failed to find a replacement for Nacho Fernandes as he departed the club at the end of his contract in the summer.

Particular prominence is being given to this now given that there is an injury crisis in the centre of defence, which could force right-back Dani Carvajal into the role in the next games.

Madrid, though, are insistent that they will not be rushed into signing a centre-back in January given they want to sign the right player who can lead their defence for a decade or more.

Yoro might have been that player, but they were unwilling to match the price of Man Utd, who now have one of the most talented young centre-backs in the world.