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Manchester United new boy Leny Yoro is set to miss the first three games of the season after being forced off the field against Arsenal in pre-season with an injury.
Neil Custis (The Sun) reveals the 18-year-old defender has suffered a “metatarsal injury” and will be unlikely to return until the beginning of September.
If the opening three games of the season includes the Community Shield against Manchester City on August 10, Yoro will be in with a chance of playing in United’s ‘fourth’ game, Liverpool at Old Trafford – a fiery return for a seasoned veteran, let alone a teenager in their few months in English football.
If, however, Custis’ update means the first three games of the regular season, the French starlet will be in contention for the away trip to St Mary’s to play Southampton on September 14.
This date feels the more realistic given the Liverpool match precedes a two-week international break before the Southampton game.
It would enable Yoro even more rehabilitation time as it’s unlikely he would be called up by Didier Deschamps for the French national team, even if fully fit.
Regardless, it comes as a major blow to Erik ten Hag in the midst of what had been an otherwise positive start to the summer.
The arrival of Yoro from LOSC Lille, as well as the capture of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, had demonstrated INEOS were approaching the transfer window in a refreshingly proactive and decisive manner, in comparison to the previous incumbents of power at Old Trafford.
Yoro’s quality had been evident in both of his pre-season appearances, even if there were the customary mistakes one would imagine from an 18-year-old making his debut at a big club in a new environment.
United’s plan this summer had always been to target two central defenders as INEOS sought to overhaul Ten Hag’s defensive unit following a season which it was decimated by injury. Which is why this unfortunate development for a previously injury-free player will feel so devastating.
However, the club remains locked in talks with Bayern Munich over Dutch centre-back Matthijs de Ligt with a discrepancy in fee the only hurdle left to overcome, given the 24-year-old has reportedly agreed personal terms with United.
Given Ten Hag is set to enter the new season without his statement signing in defence, the pressure to close a deal for De Ligt will have reached new heights in the last few days.
United’s first four games of the season see them play City, Fulham, Brighton and Liverpool. A defender with the quality and experience of De Lift would be very welcome while the club waits for their 18-year-old starlet to get fit.
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