Madrid or Manchester? That was the choice for Manchester United's latest signing. For days, it felt like Leny Yoro would move to the Champions League winners, Real Madrid, after the Red Devils' interest in Matthijs de Ligt.
According to journalist and transfer expert Fabriazo Romano, on Monday, it was said that "Yoro's preference remains Real Madrid". This clearly changed as "Manchester United progressed quickly with the move and made the young defender consider a move to the Theatre of Dreams" (Graeme Bailey, GRV Media). The fee Manchester United have agreed to pay Lille is £52 million.
What Manchester United have done is similar to how Real Madrid signed a young Raphael Varane in 2011, taking him off United's cards.
Now things have taken an opposite turn with Carlo Anceolotti's side losing out on Yoro, who is also being called to be the next Varane. So what else is there to this French man? How will he fit into the team at Old Trafford plus what does it mean and what is next for Manchester United?
Leny's story
Leny Yoro was born in Saint Maurice and spent his early days in Alfortville which is also where he began to play football. Later on in his youth, he moved to Villeneuve-d'Ascq where he continued his younger days before he turned up on the Lille radar, where he signed and joined the youth set up there at the age of 11/12.
He made his debut for Lille at the age of 16 in May 2022 against OGC Nice and became the second youngest player for the club, taking the spot from former Chelsea star Eden Hazard and is behind Joël Henry.
In the 2022/23 campaign, Yoro cemented his place in the team and last season made his debut in European competitions in this case, the UEFA Europa Conference League. During 23/24, he is said to be the only player alongside Virgil Van Dijk to be in the top 10% for both successful duels and aerial duels.
Yoro has played for France at under 17, 18, 19 and 21 levels but it yet to be called up for the first team. He had, however, been called up to the Olympic team for the Paris games later this month but was unfortunately dropped due to Lille being in the Champions League Qualifying stage (turnouts he would've been ok in the end!).
If the 18-year-old can continue his good for Manchester United, a phone call from Didier Deschamps will surely be on the cards.
How will he fit into the United team?
It's quite straightforward. Now Varane has gone, Manchester United's new defender will likely slot in next to Lisandro Martinez, who signed from Ten Hag's former club Ajax two years ago. To put it simply, a Frenchman for a Frenchman. However, United are still looking at both De Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite but only one is likely to sign on with De Ligt being the likelier of the two.
The Dutchman has reportedly agreed terms with United, with a five-year contract and wants to join them; it's just the negotiations with Bayern Munich which need to be done now.
If either of those two defenders join United, it is uncertain whether Yoro will start alongside Martinez, especially if De Ligt was to join, since he is right-footed as well. It is known though that United are looking to sell more players before signing anymore.
What does this mean for Manchester United?
Leny Yoro will definitely be a statement signing for the FA Cup winners. With Joshua Zirkzee already on board, things are certainly going in the right direction. One of the key factors will be that they are drawing players to the club with no Champions League football.
Manchester United finished eighth place last campaign and struggled with injuries pretty much from start to finish all over the pitch. In the past, they have had issues bringing players to the club, such as Frenkie De Jong and Harry Kane.
The cost and size of those players probably were a big factor in them collapsing too but the point is players want to come to the Theatre of Dreams again with INEOS' new project underway.
Adding to that, AC Milan were after Zirkzee and Real Madrid were after Yoro. Two clubs in the Champions League, with one being the reigning champion, have lost out to Ten Hag's side. That's something no one thought would happen.
If we are being realistic here, not one Manchester United fan is expecting them to win the Premier League this season or even challenge for it. They will have a young squad too.
This is the first season under a new project and a Champions League finish plus a domestic cup win should be seen as a good season. Could they even go all the way in the Europa League? Then as seasons go on, hopefully, United can build on.
What could happen next?
PSG and Uruguay's Manuel Ugarte is the next player Manchester United are looking to get over the line, with the midfielder expected to fit in well in the middle of the park alongside Kobbie Mainoo.
Of course, De Ligt is another deal which could still happen but before any of those deals were to happen, there would likely have to be outgoings to bring them to Manchester.
Mason Greenwood is set to join Ligue 1 team Marseille for £25 million with Aaron Wan Bissaka, Casemiro and Scott McTominay currently attracting interest. Donny Van De Beek has already left the club and joined Spanish side Girona with the fee having a potential to rise to £7.66 million.
If plenty of sales go through, Erik ten Hag and INEOS are likely to look at bringing another left and right back, especially if Wan Bissaka goes and Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw have another unfit season.
With Leny Yoro now the second summer signing at Old Trafford, it is set to be a scorching hot summer window for the Red Devils with plenty more ins and outs certainly expected.
