Leny Yoro has now opened up about his experience of playing in England with Premier League side Manchester United after leaving France during his time with Lille.
The 20-year-old Frenchman had come through the Lille youth academy before he broke into the first team with the Ligue 1 side when he was only a teenager.
Leny Yoro’s stunning exploits with Lille caught the eye of several clubs in 2024, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League side Liverpool.
The former Paris Saint-Germain target would leave Ligue 1 and complete a sensational switch to the Premier League by signing for Manchester United.
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Leny Yoro during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Manchester United defender Leny Yoro spotlights the physicality demands of the Premier League
Manchester United paid an initial £52.18m transfer fee, including agreeing to a further £6.73m in add-ons, to sign Leny Yoro from Ligue 1 outfit Lille in 2024.
Yoro did impress in his debut season at Old Trafford and was a key defensive pick for Ruben Amorim in the three-man backline of the former Man Utd boss’ system.
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However, the former Lille ace has had to step up in a big way to adapt to English football amid concerns around his lack of physicality in the Premier League.
Speaking on United’s official podcast, Yoro was asked about the key difference that he has noticed about playing in England’s top-flight league compared with Ligue 1.
“I think, for me, it’s more like, of course, physically,” he said on Inside Carrington.
“It’s more physically about every time you have to run like box to box and stuff.
“So, I’m going to say the game is maybe quicker. Like every, every player has a big talent.”
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Patrick Dorgu celebrates with his teammates during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United.
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Yoro has been able to climb back into the Man Utd starting XI under Michael Carrick in recent weeks after defender Lisandro Martinez was sidelined with an injury.
The United centre-back has started the last four Premier League matches under Michael Carrick and has completed the full 90 minutes on each occasion as well.
Alongside the physicality of the Premier League, Yoro refused to play down what it was like playing in France’s top-flight domestic league during his time with Lille.
“But France is also a tough league and it’s also a really good league to play,” he added.
“But the Premier League is more physical.”
Yoro has made 28 appearances across all competitions for Man Utd in the 2025-26 campaign at Old Trafford and has picked up one assist so far for his side.
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