Ruben Amorim’s much-talked-about first pre-season at Manchester United ended with another “trophy”, as his side beat Fiorentina on penalties after drawing 1-1 in regular time.
Man Utd’s draw against Fiorentina was noticeable for many reasons, as one player probably played his last game for United, another shone in a new position, and much more.
The last pre-season game before the proper season begins might as well be a competitive fixture, since the managers have a clear idea by then.
One player who has definitely made himself an undroppable part of that idea solidified that status with another sterling performance vs Fiorentina.
Manchester United v ACF Fiorentina - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Ben Roberts – Danehouse/Getty Images
Leny Yoro shines against Fiorentina
There have been many winners from this pre-season, and some losers too, but Leny Yoro will probably be right up there on the winners’ list.
It is in stark contrast to his pre-season last year, when he got injured in his second game and missed out on the first three months of the season.
Despite showing glimpses of potential afterward, he got caught in the malaise at the club, and those glimpses needed to be converted into proper performances.
Yoro has been doing that the whole of pre-season this year, and the Fiorentina game was the final punctuation mark in a series of performances which have signalled the true arrival of the player at Old Trafford.
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Yoro was metronomic against the Italian side, finishing the game with 85 touches and completing the most passes out of anyone on the team (68/73). [Stats courtesy of Fotmob]
They weren’t recycling passes either, as Yoro ran forward with purpose and knit the play with the midfield by playing progressive passes, or carrying the ball forward.
That was combined with his trademark combative defending, as he used his physical tools to snuff out any danger before it materialised and threw himself into tackles with abandon.
Yoro has taken a remarkable leap
Yoro is the only player Ineos have broken their transfer philosophy for so far at Man Utd, so the potential was always salivating.
However, the speed at which he has taken a remarkable leap this season has been tremendous to watch, as he already looks like a world-class player.
The sample size is small, and the stakes will be much higher when competitive action begins, but, for now, his performances throughout the pre-season have cemented him as an undroppable.
Only one of Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire will play in defence now that Yoro has sealed that right-sided centre-back role, which would be to Amorim’s liking.
Add to that the leap he has taken in his skills on the ball and his intensity without it, and Yoro immediately becomes a player unlike any other in the Man Utd squad.
Ferdinand backed Yoro to be the best in the world one day, and the leap from “exciting prospect” to “world-class player” already looks to be in motion.
Competitive dominance can see him launch from “world-class player” to “Best in the world” soon. He’s just 19!