Yoro Reflects on World Cup Absence Amidst Challenging United Tenure

Leny YoroPlayer·Leny Yoro, the highly-rated French defender, finds himself at a pivotal juncture in his burgeoning career at Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United. As the 2026 FIFA World CupCompetition·FIFA World Cup unfolds, discussions surrounding Yoro often touch upon a perceived missed opportunity to represent France on the global stage, a testament to the high expectations placed upon the 20-year-old.

Yoro's arrival at Old Trafford in July 2024 was a statement of intent from the club, with a reported transfer fee of €62 million (£52.2 million) making him one of the most expensive young defenders in football history. However, his inaugural 2024/25 season proved challenging, as injuries significantly hampered his integration into the squad. A foot injury sustained during the pre-season tour delayed his debut until December 2024, ultimately limiting him to just 12 Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League starts.

Despite the difficulties of a season where Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United finished 15th, Yoro expressed defiance against critics ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. In August 2025, he conveyed a clear message regarding external pressures. "There are a lot of people that want us to fail and we know that. But there are also a lot of people that want us to do it, to do great things. We just focus on the fans, you know. We don't care about what they say outside, about the media. Everyone said bullst about us last year. But I understand because we didn't do really well," Yoro stated, also articulating his ambition for titles in the new season.

His commitment to the club remained steadfast, even after a trying first year. In November 2025, Yoro reflected on his decision to join United, affirming his belief in the club's long-term vision. "Even with last season, I never had this feeling of regret. I know Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United, I know sometimes you can have a bad season, but this club is a top club, so you cannot have doubts about this. I knew the project of the club before I came," he explained. He acknowledged the team's struggles but noted a renewed spirit and increased training time in the 2025/26 season, partly due to their absence from the UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League.

The 2025/26 season saw Yoro, wearing jersey number 15, make 18 appearances for Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League, though he did not register any goals or assists, accumulating one yellow card. The team's form showed signs of improvement, particularly under manager Michael Carrick, who took the helm in January 2026. By November 2025, United were noted to be in "good momentum," having drawn their last game after securing three consecutive victories. They were positioned in eighth place in the league standings at that point, with Yoro featuring in all 10 Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League games up to that stage. This resurgence continued, culminating in Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United finishing the 2025/26 Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League campaign in a respectable third place.

However, Yoro's season was not without further setbacks. In April 2026, a minor knock sustained in training sidelined him for a crucial Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League fixture against ChelseaTeam·Chelsea, exacerbating a defensive crisis for United with several other key defenders also unavailable. As the football world turns its attention to international competition, Yoro's focus remains on solidifying his position at Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United and consistently demonstrating the quality that prompted such a significant investment from the club.