Leny Yoro shines, reminiscent of Rio Ferdinand at Man United
From a £52.2m move that could reach £60m, Leny Yoro has played 11 games under Ruben Amorim and has a poise reminiscent of Rio Ferdinand.
In Ruben Amorim’s three-man central defence, Leny Yoro – an 18-year-old signing worth £52.2m, rising to nearly £60m from Lyon – is slowly turning back the clock with a rare composure and assuredness reminiscent of Rio Ferdinand in his prime.
£52.2m investment and a boost from Amorim
Manchester United are no strangers to taking gambles on young talent, but the fee for a teenage centre-back like Yoro still makes many people wary. In his first season at Old Trafford, the 1.90m tall player was overwhelmed at times in a team lacking direction. This season, under Amorim, Yoro has played 11 games in a three-man defence and only missed the EFL Cup.
In a structure that requires a centre-back to be both confident on the ball and cover a wide area, Yoro’s qualities are magnified to their full potential. From the way he opens up passing angles, calmly receives pressing, to covering the area behind the wing-back – all of it creates a peace of mind that the Man United defence has long lacked.
A poise reminiscent of Rio Ferdinand
Comparisons with a great legend like Rio Ferdinand are natural when watching Yoro play. He has a long way to go to reach that standard, but the elegance of his touch, his ability to read situations and make it difficult for opposing strikers to get past him are clear intersections.
The biggest improvement has been in one-on-one situations – where Yoro has been more proactive in choosing his distance and timing. The Saint-Maurice native makes no secret of his own efforts: “You can’t change the past,” he says. “It’s the kind of game where you grow from experience. I’ve probably watched one-on-one situations 10 times. Because I just want to know why I did something wrong. I think that game helped me improve a lot.”
Comfortable with the shade, covering the space
In Amorim’s scheme, the centre-back is not just a ball-clearer but also a pace-setter. Yoro’s composure on the ball helps him keep the backline in rhythm, while his 1.90m stature and wide vision help him cover the spaces behind the midfield. The balance between control and defence is the foundation that makes Yoro stand out.
Locker room culture and personality
To be a leader, talent alone is not enough. Yoro showed the right mindset when he told The Guardian: “Personality is really important, for the atmosphere of the team,” he shared. “We can’t build anything with bad energy, bad atmosphere or bad personalities. The good thing is that there are no separate groups of friends in the team. It’s just one group. It’s best for the team to not have any drama.”
It is an echo of the philosophy that has made success at Old Trafford: team first, discipline and solidarity are the foundation. Yoro may not be captain yet, but his mindset and awareness in the dressing room are important ingredients for a future leader.
Impact at Old Trafford
Man United need a centre-back who can both provide defensive quality and psychological support for the backline. Yoro is gradually becoming that answer: solidity on the pitch combined with the character of a factor that can lead the winning culture – which is being reborn at Old Trafford. The comparison with Ferdinand is not to put a burden, but to point out the path Yoro is on – a promising path if he continues to maintain discipline and the desire to improve.
