‘Special talent’ set to make Man Utd debut against Arsenal

Carlo Garganese

• 3 Dec 2024 01:30 CST
• 4 min read

Leny Yoro could be set to finally make his Manchester United debut on Wednesday in the Premier League match against Arsenal.

United travel to the Emirates hoping to build on their impressive 4-0 win over Everton on Sunday.

And with Lisandro Martinez suspended against the Gunners, it is widely reported that we could finally see the official debut of big summer signing Yoro.

Yoro has still not debuted for United after breaking a metatarsal in pre-season but has been back in training for three weeks.

United manager Ruben Amorim has described Yoro as a “special talent” and says he is now ready to play.

What did Amorim say?

“I feel he is in a good moment now, his fitness is better, so I think he is going to be in the squad,” he said. “I think he’s a special talent. You have to be careful in this first moment, because we didn’t have too many training [sessions] together. He is training not alone, but with a small group of players.

“He is really fast, a modern defender and that is good when you want to press high and you leave a lot of strikers one against one,” he added. “I think he can manage that. I think he is very good with the ball. I am really excited. I have to be careful, we have to manage the loads, the minutes in the beginning but I am really excited to see Leny Yoro playing.”

Yoro picked up the metatarsal injury, ironically, against Arsenal in pre season.

Yoro was forced off after just 34 minutes in the 2-1 friendly defeat against Arsenal in August.

READ MORE: What Man Utd fans can expect from Leny Yoro

It was a massive blow for United, who made a huge investment in the young centre back.

Yoro to Man Utd

Man Utd paid €70 million to sign the-then 18-year-old from Lille, beating Real Madrid to the wonderkid.

The Manchester giants launched a surprise bid for Yoro, which was swiftly accepted by Lille.

READ MORE: Winners and losers of Leny Yoro's transfer to Man Utd

The Ligue 1 side had been keen to sell due to the player's expiring contract next year and were ready to bite Man Utd's hands off after Real Madrid had tried to lowball them.

Los Blancos were unwilling to break the bank, knowing that Yoro was keen on the move, but they likely didn't expect Man Utd to offer a whopping €62 million upfront and €8m in add-ons, a fee they were unwilling to match following the signing of Kylian Mbappe.

Yoro said upon his arrival: “Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour.

“Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and showed a lot of care for me and my family.

“I know about the history of young players at Manchester United and feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new team-mates. I cannot wait to get started.”