Recruited for more than 50 million euros from Lille this summer, Leny Yoro, 19, is having a mixed start under the colors of Manchester United. Wednesday evening, against Southampton, the young recruit had a particularly difficult evening during a meeting where the Red Devils struggled against the bottom of the Premier League to finally win 3-1. Positioned on the right side of a three-way defense, the former Lille player was manhandled by Sulemana and Walker-Peters. Their ordeal culminated with a goal from Manuel Ugarte from a corner, where their defense was found wanting. A performance which quickly sparked virulent criticism on social networks, with some supporters going so far as to speak of a “nightmare” for the French defender.
Despite the confidence displayed by coach Ruben Amorim before the match – saying that Yoro represented “the future of the club” – the player failed to live up to expectations, to the point of being replaced by Harry Maguire late in the match. Ally McCoist’s comment on TNT Sports summed up the general impression: “He’s getting demolished tonight, the poor guy.” Without support on his right flank, nor from Matthijs De Ligt in the axis, Yoro suffered on all fronts. If Amad Diallo saved his team with a late hat-trick, this performance cast doubt on the young defender’s ability to quickly establish himself in an environment as demanding as that of Old Trafford.
Senegal
