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Manchester United defender Leny Yoro enters the 2025/26 season with increased expectations following a promising debut campaign. Former United legend Rio Ferdinand, who played a role in Yoro’s transfer from Lille last summer, recently commented that Yoro’s “performance levels will grow this season,” highlighting his commitment, work ethic, and the support he receives from senior teammates such as Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Matthijs de Ligt[1]. Yoro has already made 33 appearances for Manchester United despite being just 19 years old, a rarity for defenders of his age[1].

After United’s disappointing 15th-place finish last season—their worst in over fifty years—Yoro stated in a recent interview that the squad is “out for revenge” and determined to do significantly better this season. He emphasized that being at Manchester United requires a mindset focused on improvement and blocked out last season’s criticism, declaring, “This season will be different for us. It will be like a revenge from last season. We need to do better”[3].

Yoro missed the last game against Chelsea due to a foot injury but has returned to training and played in preseason friendlies, suggesting he is likely to be available for United’s Premier League opener against Arsenal. While he struggled with minor injuries in his first season, Yoro ended the 2024/25 campaign as a starter and is expected to hold a full-time starting role if he remains fit throughout the season[5].

United invested heavily in the summer, spending more than £130 million on signings such as Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, putting additional pressure on the squad to deliver. Ruben Amorim, the manager, is also under scrutiny after the previous season, but Yoro asserted the team’s focus remains on their own development and pleasing the fans, regardless of external criticism[3].

For reference on Yoro’s background: he was born in 2005 in Saint-Maurice, France, and joined Lille’s academy before making his Ligue 1 debut at 16. He became a regular starter for Lille in the 2023–24 season and transferred to United in 2024 for €62 million (£52.2 million), a record for a player aged 18 or younger and one of the most expensive centre-backs in history[2][4][6].

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