Leny Yoro has spoken out about the elite European clubs, such as Manchester United and Real Madrid, that showed an interest in him ahead of his move to Old Trafford.
The 19-year-old Frenchman is now in his second season at the Premier League club after Leny Yoro’s big-money transfer from Ligue 1 outfit Lille in 2024.
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Manchester United brought the former Lille defender to Old Trafford when he was only 18 years old, with the Red Devils paying an initial fee of £52.18m.
The Red Devils’ deal included a further £6.73m in add-ons and United sealed their transfer of Yoro amid several different high-profile clubs being linked with him.
Yoro missed the opening months of the Red Devils’ 2024-25 Premier League campaign after he suffered a pre-season injury with United in 2024.
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Leny Yoro looks on following the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Leny Yoro’s reaction to Man Utd’s 2024-25 campaign after his debut season at Old Trafford
Erik ten Hag was in charge at Old Trafford when Leny Yoro first arrived at Manchester United and he used the defender during the 2024 pre-season tour.
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However, United sacked Erik ten Hag as the Premier League club’s manager in October 2024 and Yoro returned to the first team after the Dutchman’s exit.
Yoro was able to establish himself under Ruben Amorim and impressed at times last season, despite United’s woeful run of form over the course of the campaign.
“Even with last season, I never had this feeling of regret or something like this,” he said, as per The Daily Mail.
“I know Manchester United. I know sometimes you can have a bad season, but this club is a top club, so you cannot have doubts about this.”
United finished in a disappointing 15th place in the Premier League table last season, but Yoro insisted that he expects the Red Devils to bounce back.
“I knew the project before I came,” Yoro continued.
“Of course, I cannot expect the first year to finish in 15th position. But you have confidence in this club.”
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Man Utd defender Leny Yoro now speaks out on the transfer interest of Real Madrid and other teams
Yoro’s exploits at Lille had caught the eye of several clubs in Europe in 2024, including Real Madrid, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and United.
However, United beat the likes of Madrid, Liverpool and PSG to Yoro’s signature, with the Red Devils talent not regretting the opportunity to play for Los Blancos.
“There are some choices you need to make in your career,” Yoro explained.
“I had a lot of clubs, not just Madrid or United.
“I know some people talked about this last year because of the results. I can understand them, but honestly, it’s my choice, my career.
“I know what I’m doing. Today, my choice is Manchester, so I’m really happy with this.”
Yoro is under contract with United until 2029 and the former Madrid and PSG target has made 43 appearances for the Red Devils since his 2024 summer transfer.