Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has revealed that Lery Yoro has a brighter future with the Red Devils than he imagines. Softfootball was able to derive the conversation of the former United captain during an interview held by the club media at their ongoing USA tour.
Rio Ferdinand, who said he has remained closely invested in the progress of Manchester United centre-back Leny Yoro, a year after playing a key role in the teenager’s move from Lille.
The 19-year-old, who joined United last summer, enjoyed a breakout debut campaign, making 33 appearances across all competitions and earning early praise for his calmness in possession and positional maturity.
With a second season now on the horizon, expectations are quietly rising around the French defender, and Ferdinand, speaking pitch side at the MetLife Stadium ahead of United’s preseason clash with West Ham, believes there’s more to come.
Via Manchester United’s club media, he said:
“I think he’ll grow.
“Leny Yoro is a fantastic talent. The talent’s not in question now; it’s about fulfilling that potential. And I think he’s a serious person and works hard.”
Yoro had previously revealed in his first club interview that a conversation with Ferdinand helped influence his decision to choose United last summer. That mentorship appears to have continued informally, with Ferdinand staying tuned to the young defender’s development.
For all his composure on the pitch, Yoro is still just 19, a point not lost on Ferdinand, who spoke highly of the importance of a strong support system.
He added:
“I still think you need stability around him to help him as a young player.”
With experienced defenders like Lisandro Martínez, Harry Maguire,d Matthijs de Ligt in the squad, the Frenchman has a solid platform to continue learning while refining the more nuanced aspects of his game.
Ferdinand sees the mindset as just as important as the ability, concluding as follows:
“His desire is to be better every year and keep working, and long may that continue.
“If he continues like that, who knows what his ceiling is going to be?”
Aside from Yoro, Ferdinand also reflected on Manchester United’s bid to get Benjamin Sesko from Leipzig. As earlier reported by Softfootball, the Manchester United legend has urged his former club to steer clear of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko as they continue their search for attacking reinforcements ahead of the new season.
Manchester United’s next game is on Thursday against Bournemouth at Soldier Field in Chicago. The Ruben Amorim-led team have recorded a draw and win in their last two games.
