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Yoro is growing up at MU. |
From a doubtful "gamble", the 19-year-old French midfielder is now becoming the foundation of Manchester United's defense under Ruben Amorim.
From Disappointment to Rebirth
When United spent €62 million to sign Yoro from Lille in the summer of 2024, many believed they had a diamond in the rough. But his first season was a nightmare. A serious foot injury limited Yoro to just 17 appearances in all competitions, including just nine starts in the Premier League. The Red Devils' defense conceded 54 goals - the most of any team in the top six - and Yoro was labelled a "talent not yet ready for English football".
In the early summer of 2025, the British press even reported that United were willing to listen to any offer over 40 million euros for Yoro. But Amorim, who had just arrived at Old Trafford a few months ago, was determined to keep him. “He only needed one season to understand what the Premier League speed is,” the Portuguese coach said succinctly. And reality is proving him right.
After 7 rounds of the Premier League 2025/26 season, Yoro has played 453 minutes (according to data from WhoScored). He has an average of 3.8 tackles and 5.1 interceptions per game, with a successful aerial battle rate of 71% - the highest in the team. In the 2-0 win over Sunderland in round 7 of the Premier League on October 4, Yoro completed 91% of his passes, recovered the ball 6 times and did not commit any fouls. Those dry numbers clearly outline the image of a player who is increasingly confident.
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Yoro played well on the day MU defeated Sunderland. |
The biggest difference is how Amorim has set up a system that suits Yoro. In a 3-4-3, the French centre-back is deployed on the right, a position that allows him to take advantage of his speed and ability to cover. At 1.90m tall, Yoro is also an “air sweeper” in set pieces. He was the one who cleared the ball twice in a row against Brentford, then indirectly assisted the counter-attack that led to Mount’s opener against Sunderland.
Steps of maturity after the "summer of purification"
The summer of 2025 was considered a turning point in Yoro's young career. He voluntarily stayed at Carrington to train throughout June instead of going on holiday, working with a Portuguese fitness expert recommended by Amorim. According to internal MU data, Yoro gained 2.3 kg of muscle, improving his sprint speed by 0.12 seconds over a distance of 30 m - a small number but enough to make him the fastest center-back in the team.
“Not only is he fitter, he’s also more alert,” assistant Carlos Fernandes revealed. “Yoro has learned to read situations rather than rush into collisions. That’s the evolution of a modern centre-back.”
At 19, Yoro is following the same path Raphael Varane took at Real Madrid more than a decade ago. Along with Mount and Sesko, he is a symbol of the “Amorim generation” – young, disciplined and ready to redefine the “Red Devils” image. Yoro’s solidity helped MU keep a clean sheet against Sunderland, something the club has failed to do in recent times.
From being considered “surplus”, Yoro has now become the first choice in defense, even being voted “Best Player of September” by fans. It is not just a recovery in form, it is the rebirth of a player who almost lost himself.
At the Theatre of Dreams, people began to speak of Yoro with respect. Because in the midst of Manchester United’s turbulent years, the 19-year-old midfielder was bringing what the team craved most: belief.
Source: https://znews.vn/leny-yoro-chang-phai-cu-lua-voi-mu-post1590937.html
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