The Importance of Leny Yoro

In a summer where Manchester United’s transfer business has focused on attacking additions, last summer's signing of Leny Yoro from Lille may prove to be the most pivotal player in shaping Man Utd's season. Yoro, who does not turn 20 until November is, unusually young for a Premier League centre-back, let alone a key player.

Amorim arrived at Old Trafford with a clear, historic style of play and cut a frustrated figure on the touchline watching last year's squad try to execute his plans. Rúben Amorim's style of play has a strong emphasis on pressing, possession, and dynamic wing play. Since taking over at Sporting Lisbon in 2020, Amorim built a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young managers, blending pragmatic organisation with proactive attacking principles.

Amorim's Style of Play

His preferred formation was 3-4-3 (often a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2 in certain matches and the back three provided the defensive stability and allows full-backs/wing-backs to push high. The shape can morph into a 5-2-3 without the ball or a 2-3-5 in possession, showing his emphasis on fluidity.

Aside from keeping goals out, Amorim really values building from the back using his three centre-backs and goalkeeper to play through pressure. This is where Yoro may play a leading role. He only managed 21 league appearances last season after making his debut in December 2024 and whilst the team endured a horrific campaign, he was one of the consistent performers. So whilst the focus may be on new signings, the key may be keeping him fit and letting him lead the start of the attacking play. There is also an argument that the attacking players may play better on the counter attack than with slow and steady front-foot play.

However I look at the season ahead, and I am not a United fan, I am convinced he is a key player.

Sorting Out That Back Three

United are well stocked for players who can make up that central back three. Yoro, Martinez, Maguire, De Ligt are perhaps the leading contenders, but Lindelof and Shaw could also feature. There is also a fair amount of flexibility in who can play LCB/RCB/CCB. Arguably Yoro is the best passer, is one of the most athletic and at a tender age the best placed to beat the opposition's press.

Solving Other Areas of the Pitch

Manchester United have addressed some of their issues over the summer transfer activity. With Sesko, Mbeumo and Cunha arriving they have transformed their attacking options, and whilst this article doesn't focus on the whole picture, there are two other key areas that United need to address if they are to be successful this season.

1. Wing-backs: Amorim's success at Sporting with his preferred formation was reliant on strong wing-back play. Does Amorim have the right personnel to do this successfully?

   
   

2. Defensive Centre Midfield: Ugarte is far from impressing in this area. Even if they play Mainoo deeper, he is not the quickest. Pace and competence in this area could be key.

   
   

Keeping Yoro Fit and Luck With Injuries

Whatever your view of how the team did last season, they were severely impacted by injuries that meant they had to keep shuffling the deck and changing the playing XI. Some of that was also Amorim searching for his best formula, but it was a season of constant rotation, and mostly enforced.

Yoro needs to stay fit and surpass those 21 league appearances last season. The team of course need stability all over the pitch, but it feels more key in the back 3 than anywhere else.

The Early Months Will Reveal All

Ruben Amorim looked a very frustrated figure on the touchline last season. Often chirpy and positive in interviews, but sometimes painfully honest. When you married that with his touchline body language and expressions, you felt that he simply didn't believe the players he had on the pitch were good enough. He has had the opportunity to see his squad in action last season, and make some key additions in the transfer market, so he will have some mature views on which players he feels he can trust to execute his plan.

It will be a baptism of fire as United face Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea in their first five league fixtures and we will learn very quickly who his go-to players are.

Old Trafford in the sunshine.