To say Leny Yoro has endured a challenging start to life at Manchester United would be an understatement.
The £52 million summer signing trained alongside Man United’s senior squad for the first time this week this week, three-and-a-half months after breaking his foot during an accursed pre-season defeat to Arsenal over in the USA.
Fortunately, Leny Yoro already has a solid group of friends helping to make an already difficult adaptation that little bit easier and survive those agonising hours in rehabilitation.
Speaking in a week in which interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy confirmed that Yoro is closing in on his Manchester United debut at long last, the teenage Frenchman has opened up about just how grateful he is to have found a team with so many talented young players and likeable personalities.
Leny Yoro names his closest friends at Manchester United
“To be honest, I am close to everyone. I have a good relationship [with the whole squad]. But I am with the young guys most of the time,” Yoro tells MUTV.
“Kobbie [Mainoo], Amad [Diallo], I speak to Andre Onana because he speaks French. [Alejandro] Garnacho is a good guy. Everyone is good.
“This helps me a lot [to have players of a similar age].”
Alongside Mainoo, Amad and Garnacho – not to mention a hugely exciting crop of teenage talent – 18-year-old Leny Yoro is likely to form the foundations of a bright future under new boss Ruben Amorim.
Yoro reportedly aimed to make his comeback when Man United face Arsenal in early December.
But, provided there are no setbacks, the towering centre-half could have some minutes in his legs already by the time the Red Devils travel to the Emirates with Ipswich Town, Bodo/Glimt and Everton to come during Amorim’s first few weeks in charge.
“Honestly, I just want to be on the pitch!,” Yoro admits, desperate to bring an end to one of the more frustrating spells of his young career. “I stay ready and I just want to be on the pitch with the guys.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy delighted with Leny Yoro recovery
With Ruben Amorim expected to bring with him the three-at-the-back system which made Sporting one of the finest defensive sides in Europe, Yoro is likely to have a big role to play presumably alongside Lisandro Martinez and either Matthijs de Ligt or Harry Maguire.
“He has been managed very well since his injury in pre-season,” Van Nistelrooy said on Wednesday before United’s 2-0 Europa League victory over PAOK.
“It’s a big moment for him, the first time he is back in team training. Obviously, we are going to get him back partially in the coming weeks and [we are] looking to get him on board as quick as possible.”
United host Leicester City in the legendary Dutchman’s final game at the helm.
Van Nistelrooy is hoping to have Amad Diallo available after he picked up a knock against PAOK, though Mainoo remains absent.
“Amad was assessed. We are still working on him to get him ready for Sunday, so hopefully it will work,” Van Nistelrooy reveals. “And Kobbie is also progressing with his injury. He isn’t yet with the team, though.
“He needs more time.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/StH83Qs