Emmanuel Petit claims that Man Utd star Leny Yoro would ‘thrive’ at Liverpool

Emmanuel Petit believes that Leny Yoro would be ‘thriving’ at Liverpool had he opted to join Andoni Iraola’s side over Manchester United.

United swooped ahead of Real Madrid to sign Yoro from Lille in 2024, the centre-back joining for a £52million fee having made just 60 appearances for the French club.

Yoro was seen as one of Europe’s most highly-rated young defenders when he made the move to United, but has struggled at points during his early years at Old Trafford.

The 20-year-old has started United’s last three games as a makeshift right-back, but was sent off in their 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

And while still early in his career, former Arsenal midfielder Petit believes that the topsy-turvy environment at United has not aided Yoro’s development, as he drew comparisons to fellow Frenchman Jeremy Jacquet and his impressive start to life at Liverpool.

‘They’re two players facing two different situations,’ Petit told Betfred.

‘Jeremy Jacquet has been brilliant so far for Liverpool and it was the same during the international break because he impressed a lot, honestly. Everything is good for him, he’s full of confidence and you can see that.

‘For Leny Yoro it’s different. He’s had spells when he’s injured and sometimes he’s playing at right-back and sometimes he’s playing at centre-back.

‘When you look at the lack of stability of the club he’s playing for and the lack of confidence around the group, is it Leny Yoro’s responsibility to raise his level when you see other players who are also not playing at a high level? 

‘There are leaders missing at Manchester United. I don’t like Bruno Fernandes body language. I’ve not liked it this season and I didn’t like it last season.

‘This year’s started very slowly for Manchester United and Leny Yoro can’t solve all the problems at the club. Both Yoro and Jacquet are playing in two completely different situations.

‘If Jacquet was at Manchester United would it be the same in terms of his form? If Leny Yoro was playing for Liverpool would it be different? I think it definitely would be and he would be thriving as well.’

Yoro is suspended for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Como, but former Red Devils captain Rio Ferdinand is keen to see him back in the lineup for the weekend after his impressive performance against Leeds United.

‘I thought Leny Yoro, especially in the first half, defending the back post was top drawer,’ Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.

‘He looks like he’s growing in confidence and he looks like he just needs a run in the team now. I don’t know what position he’ll make his own first but he will go I just have to be in this team.

‘If he just continues playing the way he is and continues to get games, I don’t care who gets back fit now, I think he needs to stay in the team, prove his worth.

‘I think every week he looks stronger, I thought in Madrid he looked solid, the game before for France he was outstanding at centre-back and he comes back with a new-found confidence and I think that’s good for Manchester United.

‘The way he defended those crosses at the back post and in those away games you’ve got to have people willing to put their bodies there and I thought today in that sense especially he was top class.’

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