Carrick could field Man Utd star in new role vs Spurs after ‘great’ international exploits
Manchester United defender Leny Yoro is vying for a starting role against Tottenham, albeit in a new playing role.
Last month, the 20-year-old received a late international call-up following Ibrahima Konate’s injury, his first at the senior level.
Zinedine Zidane kept the youngster on the sidelines in the first three games of his France tenure, before finally giving him his debut as a starter in the UEFA Nations League clash against Belgium on Monday.
Why Leny Yoro could play at right-back for Man Utd
Les Bleus overcame a rough start to beat their Belgian neighbours by four goals to one, thanks to a late onslaught from their super-subs Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, and Desire Doue.
Nevertheless, Yoro’s superb debut hasn’t gone unnoticed, as Zidane praised the Man Utd youngster after the game.
“He (Yoro) had a great game today,” said the new France head coach. “I am very happy for him. He did his role very well.”
But while many fans and observers have been urging Michael Carrick to entrust the Frenchman with a starting role at centre-back, The Sun reporter Katherine Walsh doesn’t see the coach breaking the defensive partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire if both are fully fit.
Nevertheless, the journalist believes Yoro stands a chance of earning a starting role at right-back, especially if Luke Shaw fails a late fitness test.
In this case, Diogo Dalot would emerge as an emergency left-back option in the absence of Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu, who both picked up knocks while on international duty.
Is Yoro reliable at right-back?
In the summer, Yoro played on the right side of the backline in the first few friendlies, as Dalot and Mazraoui were granted extra weeks of rest after their World Cup participation.
The Lille youth product looked comfortable in this role, albeit he hasn’t been tested in a competitive fixture.
Yoro possesses the technical skills required to bring the ball forward. He is also blessed with a blistering pace, which enables him to dart up and down the flank.
With Maguire and Martinez consolidating their starting roles, and Matthijs de Ligt’s return edging ever closer, a temporary move to right-back might be Yoro’s best chance at earning immediate playing time.
