Leny Yoro impresses on first Man Utd start in 4-0 Sabah win
Leny Yoro made his first start of the season on Thursday and helped Manchester United beat Sabah 4-0 in the Champions League, forming a solid central-defensive partnership with Lisandro Martinez.
What we know
- Yoro, 20, started alongside Martinez as United kept their first clean sheet of the campaign.
- Michael Carrick had previously used Ayden Heaven against Hull City, before selecting Harry Maguire with Martinez for the league games against Ipswich Town and Everton.
- Martinez praised Yoro after the win, calling the defender “the future of this club” and highlighting his calmness, composure, defending and quality in one-v-one situations.
- United have conceded twice in every Premier League match so far, including against Everton, despite Martinez feeling the side had done enough to shut that game out.
- Martinez said clean sheets are essential if United are to compete, adding that the Sabah result must now become a platform.
- Yoro was a regular under former manager Ruben Amorim last season, but his minutes dropped in autumn and he ended the Premier League campaign with 18 starts.
Next step: Carrick’s derby selection
United face Manchester City this weekend, with Carrick expected to return to the more experienced Martinez-Maguire pairing for the derby.
Yoro has made the decision less straightforward. His composed display against Sabah gave United defensive control and a clean sheet at a time when their league back line has been under pressure. The French defender now faces a fight to keep his place, but Martinez’s public backing will strengthen his case.
