Leny Yoro has begun pre-season at right-back for Manchester United, but he is eager for a chance in the centre of defence. With no senior players back at Carrington this week, Michael Carrick is expected to take a similar squad to Trondheim as the one that faced Wrexham, meaning Yoro might again play at right-back against Rosenborg.
Early Pre-Season Fitness Focus
These early games are about fitness, and by returning to Carrington on day one of pre-season, Yoro has gained an edge over rivals for a starting spot against Hull City on the first day of the season. Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven started together at centre-back against Wrexham and could continue against Rosenborg. Matthijs de Ligt is rehabilitating from back surgery and won't be fit for the start of the campaign.
Martinez's World Cup Agony
Lisandro Martinez, who was named in the team of the tournament at the World Cup, ended it with his shirt covering his face after being forced off with injury. He has now gone on holiday, suggesting the issue isn't serious, but as of Wednesday, he still didn't know the extent of the problem. Even if fit to begin training in August, he is unlikely to be ready to start against newly-promoted Hull, leaving a vacancy alongside Maguire at the MKM Stadium.
Yoro's Development and Opportunity
Heaven, 19, is a left-footer similar to Martinez, but Yoro is ahead in his development. United spent £52 million to sign Yoro from Lille in 2024, expecting him to be a regular by now. He has started only 30 Premier League games across two seasons, showing only flashes of his potential. Dan Ashworth, then sporting director, said: "Leny is one of the most exciting young defenders in world football; he possesses every attribute needed to develop into a top-class centre-back."
Yoro turns 21 in November, and with Zinedine Zidane set to replace Didier Deschamps as France manager, he knows this is a big season. He could end it as a regular for both United and France. If he starts against Hull, he will have a chance to lay down a marker. Carrick's success last season came from consistency in selection, which limited Yoro's opportunities. Maguire and Martinez are the preferred pair when available, and De Ligt will have a point to prove upon return.
Yoro should be the future of the defence alongside Heaven. Maguire has told people they can be United's version of Gabriel and William Saliba. This feels like a key season for Yoro's development, and although he starts the summer at right-back, he will hope to be at the heart of the defence come the first day of the season.
