Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Leny Yoro might be better positioned than two of his fellow first-team Manchester United teammates for next season’s Champions League campaign.
The 20-year-old French defender is one of the current Manchester United players who has not played in UEFA’s top-tier club competition in their playing careers.
United punched their ticket back to the Champions League for the 2026-27 campaign after the Red Devils finished third in the Premier League table last season.
Leny Yoro might have never played in the Champions League, but the Frenchman knows that his experience in Europe could act as the perfect springboard for him.
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Leny Yoro of Manchester United applauds fans following the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Atletico de Madrid at Strawberry Arena on August 01, 2026 in Solna, Sweden.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Leny Yoro’s European experience is where Man Utd stars Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu will have to play catch-up
Leny Yoro has played in Europe during his time with French side Lille and with Manchester United under former Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
The ex-Lille star’s debut season at the Red Devils saw him reach the Europa League final, only for Man Utd to fall short to Tottenham at the San Mames in Bilbao.
Leny Yoro’s stats in Europe:
2024-25: Manchester United — Europa League: eight appearances
2023-24: Lille — Europa Conference League: nine appearances
Goals: 2
Speaking to the Red Devils’ official magazine (via Manchester United’s official website), Yoro said: “All the players in the world want to play in this competition.
“I did the Conference League, Europa League, and now I’m going to play in the Champions League. So yeah, I think the step is very good.”
The Man Utd defender added: “It’s a competition with the best players in the world. You play different types of strikers, different types of opponents, and it’s never easy.
“So, you have to be ready, and yeah, I can’t wait to play against these types of players.”
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Whereas Yoro has a point of reference for European football, the same cannot be said for either Bryan Mbeumo or Patrick Dorgu ahead of next season.
Both Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu have played at Old Trafford during a period when there was no European football under former United manager Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils were not in Europe last season either after Man Utd failed to lift the Europa League title in 2025 to secure a route into the Champions League.
For Dorgu and Mbeumo, the Man Utd duo will need to rely on the experience around them to help them navigate the challenges of playing in UEFA’s elite tournament.
While it might be Yoro’s first time in the Champions League as well, his past experience in Europe will be a valuable asset for him in the 2026-27 season.