Manchester United fears grow over Yoro

Manchester United fear new signing Leny Yoro could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being filmed wearing a protective boot on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

Yoro sustained the injury in the first half of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in Los Angeles and was captured yesterday at the UCLA training complex wearing the boot, walking on crutches and with heavy strapping around his left leg.

The 18-year-old joined United from Lille a fortnight ago for £52million and a serious injury would represent a major blow for United and manager Erik ten Hag, who had hoped the Frenchman would be the centrepiece of the club’s bid to improve on last season’s eighth-placed showing in the Premier League.

Leny Yoro spotting at UCLA today after Manchester United training… on crutches, in a boot. Not good looks— hoping for a speedy recovery. #MUFCtour #ManchesterUnited pic.twitter.com/UsDmzAnxdo

— Ryan (@rdeeb00) July 31, 2024

Ten Hag will address the media tomorrow with Yoro’s fitness sure to be the main topic of conversation.

Yoro’s signing underlined a shift in culture under new minority owners Ineos with younger players their focus in the transfer market.

The club already have a promising nucleus at Old Trafford with the likes of Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo all performing well when given the chance last season.

Amad eager to make an impression

Of that quartet, Amad received the least playing time due to injury and Ten Hag’s over-reliance on Antony and the former Sunderland loanee is hoping to make a greater impression in 2024-25.

The Ivorian winger said: “I am so excited. I believe in the manager. I know last season I didn’t play a lot, but this season is going to be a good season for everyone and I’m motivated.

“We [myself and Ten Hag] had a conversation, a positive conversation and he said good things.”

The highlight of Amad’s United career to date was a brilliant last-gasp winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup.

He added: “That goal was the most important goal of my life. I was very happy to score that goal. Even now, I can’t believe it.

“I was confident and at the end the manager started to believe in me and play me a lot.”