Leny Yoro: The Once-in-a-Generation Star Battling to Cement His Man Utd Legacy

July 18, 2024. A landmark day at Manchester United. The day they edged out Real Madrid in the race for Leny Yoro's signature.

United agreed a deal worth approximately $76 million (£60 million) to secure the gifted 18-year-old from Lille, generating enormous excitement around the transfer. Yoro was regarded as a once-in-a-generation talent — the next elite center back. United were supposedly "back."

Now, just over two years on, saying things haven't gone according to plan would be putting it mildly.

With reports indicating United are exploring younger defensive options to replace Yoro — who has been increasingly linked with a departure from Old Trafford — the youngster is entering a pivotal stretch that could shape the entire trajectory of his career.

Early Injury Woes

In retrospect, an ankle injury sustained during his first preseason really set the tone for Yoro's spell at United.

Anticipation around Yoro's debut continued to build until he was finally unleashed on the pitch in December 2024. By that point, the manager who had signed him, Erik ten Hag, had been dismissed and replaced by Ruben Amorim, who introduced a formation that should, in theory, have offered Yoro more playing time through the use of three center backs.

It took the Frenchman some time to find his rhythm, and when he did, he was thrown into a defensive setup that, frankly, did no one in United's backline any favors. Poor results appeared to chip away at Yoro's confidence, creating a damaging cycle of mistakes and nervy displays.

At a club of United's stature, where scrutiny is more intense than anywhere else, that simply cannot continue.

A Mixed Start to Life Under Carrick

When Michael Carrick took over from Amorim in the dugout, his primary focus was clear: stability.

Carrick switched back to two center backs and prioritized dependability above all else. Harry Maguire earned his place in the starting lineup, with Lisandro Martínez partnering the Englishman. It was only during Martínez's injury-enforced absence that Yoro was handed an opportunity to make his mark.

The new manager suffered just two defeats in the second half of the 2025–26 season, and Yoro started both of those matches. There was also a frustrating 2–2 draw with Bournemouth that threatened to stall United's momentum.

Following a run of just one win from four games, Yoro picked up a knock that ruled him out of a trip to Chelsea. In his absence, Ayden Heaven delivered an impressive performance in a hard-fought 1–0 win, seemingly leapfrogging Yoro in the defensive pecking order.

Struggle for Minutes

Yoro has not made a Premier League start for United since suffering that knock in April 2026. Five substitute appearances totaling 56 minutes have been interspersed with five games spent entirely unused on the bench.

His declining standing in Carrick's plans appeared evident during preseason, when Yoro was deployed more as emergency cover at right back rather than as a genuine contender in his natural position.

Two starts have, however, been found for Yoro in cup competitions. A 4–0 victory over Sabah in the Champions League provided a boost, but that was quickly overshadowed by a 3–2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup third round — yet another missed chance for Yoro, who continued to look uncertain.

The problem for Yoro is that those opportunities are only going to become scarcer. Elimination from the Carabao Cup removes one avenue for Carrick to rotate his squad, while United's poor form heading into the international break will push the manager to lean on his more experienced defensive options. With composure at a premium, Carrick will find it difficult to hand Yoro a starting berth.

What Does the Future Hold?

United supporters are growing increasingly aware that Yoro is being wasted on the bench. No player develops without consistent minutes, and the window to nurture one of the game's most promising young defenders is in danger of closing.

Carrick faces pressure to give Yoro those minutes, but the demands of constructing a solid defensive unit may well outweigh that consideration. Would fans truly be satisfied watching Yoro play if it came at the cost of results?

It is an uncomfortable situation for all parties, and one that feels like it could reach a breaking point before long. Yoro may be contracted until 2029, with an option for an automatic 12-month extension, but he will be acutely aware that sitting on the bench at this stage of his career is a luxury he cannot afford.

Should Yoro become available, there would be no shortage of interested clubs — and he knows it.