Yoro: Amorim’s words give me confidence

Tuesday 18 February 2025 12:00

Manchester United defender Leny Yoro says head coach Ruben Amorim is filling him with confidence and determination to reach his full potential on the pitch.

After joining the club from French outfit Lille in the summer, Yoro’s United journey was stalled by a pre-season injury, but the young defender has since made a complete recovery and subsequently been able to step up his integration into the Reds’ side by playing matches.

Amorim awarded the 19-year-old with his debut in December’s Premier League trip to Arsenal and Leny has since featured a further 15 times as a member of his coach’s back three, namely away to Man City, Liverpool and again at Arsenal, in the FA Cup.

The Frenchman speaks about the benefits of that big-game experience and his relationship with our Portuguese boss during the first part of an exclusive interview – first seen in March’s edition of our Inside United magazine – which you can watch below.

Leny Yoro | In his stride Video

Leny Yoro | In his stride

Leny Yoro talks us through his first series of big United matches, and the bonds he’s building with his team-mates…

During the conversation at Old Trafford, Leny also reacts to Ruben’s recent description of his playing style, in which the latter called him “really fast” and “a modern defender”, something “good when you want to press high and leave strikers one against one”.

“Of course, [that] is good for me,” said Leny. “This is a good impression, and I need to do what he says on the pitch.

“I am confident with this, maybe I am not 100 per cent of my capability but I know with time and experience I will be.”

It is clear then that the teenager is determined to reach his full potential with Amorim’s help, as he continues his adaptation to a new club, country and league, while building back up from a long-term injury.

In the interview with club media, Yoro also expresses his admiration for the boss’ communication and personable style of management – something he puts down to the latter’s own years playing the game.

“I spoke with him when he came to the club, [and I thought] this is a very good coach who likes to speak with the players and really likes to have a good relationship with the players,” the 19-year-old explains.

“He understands us a lot because he was a player before so he knows a lot about what it’s like, the feelings you can have when you play or don’t play and when you have a bad game. He knows how to manage this, and I think this is the most important [thing].

“Tactically he is top. We don’t have too much training to learn everything, but he tries to give us everything before the game to be 100 per cent the best version of the team. We know he is with us and we are with him, so it’s good.”

Illness unfortunately ruled Yoro out of being in Amorim’s side during Sunday’s loss at Tottenham, but Ruben’s update afterwards suggests our no.15 could be back to face Everton this weekend.

Yoro: Amorim’s words give me confidence