“In my head…” Leny Yoro reveals secret Raphaël Varane role in Manchester United move

Leny Yoro has revealed the secret role that former Manchester United defender Raphael played in his Premier League move in the 2024 summer window.

Manchester United‘s second signing of the 2024 summer transfer window, after announcing Joshua Zirkzee, came as a major shock when they revealed that they had signed 18-year-old French centre-back Leny Yoro from Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille.

All summer long, it had seemed like the talented youngster was destined for a move to Real Madrid, but great work from club CEO Omar Berrada and United’s recruitment department saw the young sensation sign for the Old Trafford club.

Although into just his second game of pre-season, Yoro suffered a metatarsal injury, and he was ruled out for five months as he underwent surgery and rehabilitation.

However, the now-19-year-old made his comeback and official debut earlier this month, playing 31 minutes against Arsenal, and has since made a further four appearances, starting twice.

Varane’s role in Yoro’s decision to join United

Yoro joined the club just as veteran French defender Raphaël Varane departed, with many comparisons coming between the two.

Now, in a new interview with Le10 Sport, Yoro has explained that Varane had a significant role to play in him choosing United over Madrid, also a former club of the World Cup winner, and that signing for United helped him secure his dream of playing in the Premier League.

“No regrets about joining Manchester United,” he said. “In my head, I’d set my sights on playing abroad because that’s something I’ve always been attracted to, especially the Premier League. It’s every footballer’s dream.”

Continued, Yoro said: “I spoke to Varane, who gave me a lot of advice, whether in sport, in life or in this choice. And he had a lot to say.”

What Amorim thinks about Yoro

Although Yoro was signed under former manager Erik ten Hag, his injury meant that he never played a competitive minute under the Dutchman. However, new head coach Rúben Amorim has been quick to praise the youngster.

“He is a special talent, we have to be careful in the first moment,” Amorim said just before Yoro was included in a competitive United squad for the first time. “We didn’t have too many training [sessions] together. He has been training with a small group of players.

“He is really fast, a modern defender. He will be good when we want to press high and you leave a lot of strikers in this league one against one, he can manage that. He is very good with the ball so I am very excited.

“We have to be careful, we have to manage the load and minute in the beginning but I am really excited to see Leny Yoro playing.”

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