A sensational swoop to sign 18-year-old centre-back Leny Yoro from LOSC Lille ahead of Europe’s heavyweights was quickly agreed after the second bid for Branthwaite was rejected. Yoro is considered the generational talent in his position and there was widespread acknowledgement of the signing by INEOS throughout footballing circles.
However, in only his second appearance for his new club during United’s pre-season tour of the US, Yoro was forced off the field in the first-half with an injury. It was a moment which produced immediate flashbacks to the horrors of the unrelenting injury crisis which decimated Ten Hag’s defence last year, with good reason.
Following a protracted period of silence by the club, United were eventually forced to admit their new signing had suffered a metatarsal injury which would require surgery. It was then revealed the 18-year-old would be ruled out for three months.
And it’s this unfortunate development, a report by The Sun reveals, which has led the club to consider a return to Merseyside with a “fresh bid” for Branthwaite, following a frustrating pursuit of other alternatives, including Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt.
The Sun contend Yoro is “unlikely to play again this year”, suggesting an even longer period of absence than the expected three month timeline to fitness: “United don’t expect the player to be available again until January. It’s a major setback for the club who had planned to use Yoro in the first team when the season kicks off next weekend.”
In response, United are contemplating “launching a new approach” for Branthwaite with sources at the club revealing the combination of the Everton defender and Yoro “could go on to be a central defensive pairing which United can build their team around.”
Whether a fresh round of negotiations will be able to convince the Toffees to soften their uncompromising stance remains to be seen but the need for a new centre-back at Old Trafford is as acute now as it was at the start of the transfer window.
Leave a Reply