Leny Yoro pulled no punches with the press after full time. He doubled down that Man United "need to win trophies" after they knocked out Athletic Club 7-1 in the semi-final of the Europa League.
Mason Mount netted a brace to put the thought of a comeback out of reach for the Basques as Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund heaped on the misery. In a complicated campaign, for Yoro and the rest of his teammates, Man United could still be celebrating silverware at the end of May. An all-English affair awaits back in Bilbao as they take on Tottenham in the final of the Europa League.
The teenager spoke on the struggles of his season and his hopes of achievement with the Red Devils.
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‘Now I start to be 100%’
Even though the Red Devils brought a three goal lead into the second leg, they were behind on the night after a long range shot from Mikel Jauregizar. A second strike from the Basques might have made fans worry, but Mason Mount calmed the nerves with an expertly whipped strike to restore the three goal cushion. It was the enterprise of Yoro driving into the final third that initiated the move.
“I tried to bring the ball forward to help the team to score goals because it was really important for us to not finish the game one nil down. I tried to go forward pass to Mason and he did really well.”
It is another positive contribution from a teenager who is finding his feet in English football. The 19-year-old suffered a fractured foot before the start of the season and did not feature in the first team squad until December, taking time to return to his usual match rhythm. Now, he feels that he is back to the best version of himself and is biding to be a big part of progress at the club in the years to come.
“It was difficult for me with the injuries, even performances when I returned on the pitch. Now I start to be 100%, I start to be good and hope to be good at the end of this season and for next season.”
Man United spent over £50 million to gain the services of the Frenchman, who was on the radar of Real Madrid in the summer. That fee demands high expectations— even for a player who is working to fully establish himself in the men's game— and he understands that his standards have to be high.
“I am still young player, but you know, in the pitch, this doesn't mean nothing. And when you see a big club like Man United, you need to settle really quick because the fans are rooting for you even with the big transfer like I had. So yeah, this is important for me to settle in really quick and to be good.”
Yet, he does not feel these expectations cripple his game and he has an attitude fit for the elite level.
“Honestly, I just do not feel any pressure, because you need to be 100% focused on the game. You know, if you are feeling a lot of pressure, you cannot play well. You are not able to play your game. So, I try to not let any pressure get to me, you know. I just think about the game and that is it.”
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‘This is a club of trophies’
The last decade has been a difficult period for Man United, but the club continues to carry a charm in the eyes of many players. A highly talented prospect, who was in last season's Ligue 1 Team of the Year, Yoro has his sights set on the top. The chance to follow in the footsteps of iconic defenders— and a recently retired compatriot— is an inspiration for him as he dons the red shirt at Old Trafford.
“I came to Manchester United to achieve big things and to win trophies. When you saw players like Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Raphael Varane, you know you want to achieve the same as them.”
Fans have taken a liking to the teenager, comparing him to great central defenders of the past. The teenager cannot take those comments to heart too closely before he has established his legacy in the game, but he wishes to use those words of affirmation to bring the best out of his ability on the pitch.
“You want to stay in the memory of the fans to be one of the big defenders, so of course when they compare me to them, this is an honour for me. I am really proud of this, and I try to be the best.”
The 19-year-old will want to savour the sweet feeling of winning honours sooner rather than later. A triumph against Tottenham would mark the first major honours in his career. It is the team's fourth final in the last three years, and a win would earn a third different piece of silverware after the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024: the Red Devils demand trophies even in their most fallow periods.
“When you play for Manchester United, you need to believe in yourself. You know, this is a club of trophies. You know, they have won a lot of trophies, and I think in the final this will be important for us to think about. We have to know that we are Manchester United and we need to win trophies.”
There should still be a long way to go in Yoro's career. He knows he still has a lot of learning to do, speaking about the role of Ruben Amorim and Rio Ferdinand in his path of ongoing development.
“I speak a lot with the coach. I speak with Rio. Not in front of the cameras, you know, sometimes they just give me advice. When there's a player like Rio and they give you some advice, you need to listen and do it. I try to do the best and to do what they tell me to do. So yeah, this is really good for me.”
