Michael Carrick is focused on more than just team tactics at Manchester United; he is also helping individuals improve their game.
Leny Yoro started the season out of the side and behind Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire for a place in the side under Rúben Amorim, even though there were more central defenders on the pitch than there are now.
When Michael Carrick returned to the club for his second stint as short-term head coach, Yoro remained on the bench behind Maguire and Lisandro Martínez. That was until the Argentine’s training injury, which has left him out of the side since, although his return date has now been set.
Many called for Ayden Heaven to play with Martínez unavailable, but Carrick chose Yoro instead, and what a decision it has been.
Yoro has been exceptional since his return to the starting lineup, despite playing in a back four for the first time since his few pre-season appearances under Erik ten Hag when he first joined.
Jonny Evans was known to be helping Heaven and Yoro in training, but it seems Carrick has also had an influence on the young Frenchman.
How Carrick has helped Yoro improve
After his brilliant performance against Aston Villa, which saw United take a three-point advantage in the Champions League race, Yoro appeared on United’s Inside Carrington podcast and spoke on how Carrick had helped him improve.
“I really enjoy working with him,” Yoro said on Carrick. “We speak a lot. He was a big player also, and he always likes to speak with me about how I can help the team to progress with the ball.”
Progressing the ball from central defence is key to how Carrick plays at Old Trafford. Martínez usually takes that responsibility, but it seems that has now fallen to Yoro rather than the more senior Maguire.
Yoro continued to say: “He’s helped me also to understand the game, to think more about how my midfielder plays, how the No. 10 [Bruno Fernandes] is playing.
“This is something I really like. I like to stay with the ball, have the ball, help the team to go forward. So this is something he helped me to improve.”
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Yoro reveals “main goal”
When on Inside Carrington, Yoro also spoke about his dreams as a Manchester United player and what he wants to achieve at the club.
“I have a lot to develop,” he said. “I hope I can be a really important player for the team to stay in this defence, and help the team to win trophies, win games, and stay a really long time here. That’s my main goal.”
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Yoro has the right mentality to succeed at Old Trafford, something which will stand him in good stead, no matter who is in charge.
However, it seems, based on his words, that he would like Carrick to stay on as the head coach for next season and beyond.
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