Manchester United were already warned it’s too early for Leny Yoro to be a starter in the Premier League. French football legend Emmanuel Petit reckons his fellow countryman could need similar treatment to William Saliba, who took three years to break into Arsenal’s XI.
Yoro, 18, completed a £52million move, which could rise to nearly £60m with add-ons, to Old Trafford on Thursday, signing a five-year contract with the option on an additional 12 months. United have moved quickly to replace Raphael Varane, but there’s doubts about whether he can strengthen Erik ten Hag’s side for next season.
While he attracted plenty of attention from top clubs across Europe with his performances for Lille, the 6’3” centre-back is naturally still developing and will very much be a work in progress. That’s why Petit thought he wasn’t yet ready for the move to England, urging his former clubs Arsenal and Chelsea to not sign him this summer.
He told DAZN in April: “I know Leny Yoro well, I watch him in France, and he’s been nicknamed the next Raphael Varane. He was 16 when he started with the Lille first team… and all of a sudden his life changed.
“The manager said he needed someone to repeat his age as he always was shocked at [how] young he is. In the space of two years, he’s been an absolute rock in defence. Let Yoro improve step by step, right now it’s too early.
“Saliba was [the] perfect example, he was at Arsenal early on but spent three years on loan before cementing his name in Arsenal’s XI. The season Saliba did with Marseille changed everything and now he’s one of the best defenders in the world.”
United legend Rio Ferdinand appears to disagree with Petit, making a public plea for the transfer to happen earlier this month on his podcast. He then featured in Yoro’s unveiling for the Red Devils, sending him a video message having reportedly helped in convincing him to snub Real Madrid’s advances.
Ferdinand said: “Leny, Leny, Leny! How you doing bro? Listen, congratulations. Welcome to Manchester United man. I wish you all the best. I know you’re going to work hard and that’s the secret man, work hard, work hard, work, work, work on all the part of your game.
“You’ve got all the potential, you’ve got all the tools man. You’ve got everything there, ready to rock and roll, to go and make a big impact at this club. It’s the best club in the world, it’s a beautiful place to be. Go and enjoy yourself, good luck.”