Leny Yoro handed first senior France start

Leny Yoro arrived at Manchester United carrying the expectations that inevitably follow one of Europe’s most coveted young defenders.

United paid an initial £52.2 million to sign the Frenchman from Lille in July 2024, beating significant competition for a defender who had already earned a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

His Old Trafford journey started painfully. Yoro fractured his foot against Arsenal during his first pre-season and had to wait until December for his competitive debut.

Yet there have also been glimpses of precisely why United invested so heavily. He scored his first goal against Lyon in the Europa League and later became the club’s second-youngest starter in a major European final.

Last season brought greater stability. Yoro made 32 Premier League appearances as Michael Carrick guided United to third place and Champions League qualification.

This campaign has been less straightforward.

The 20-year-old has moved in and out of Carrick’s starting XI, although he started the dramatic Carabao Cup defeat against Brighton and has continued receiving opportunities across the defence.

His progress has now been rewarded on the international stage.

According to RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins, Zinedine Zidane has handed Yoro his first senior France start.

The United defender has been named alongside Guillaume Restes, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix and Andy Diouf, with Eduardo Camavinga and Manu Kone also selected.

The two-time World Cup winners face Senne Lammens and Youri Tielemans’ Belgium, having beaten them in Brussels just last week.

Yoro was promoted into Zidane’s senior squad in September after initially being selected for France Under-21 duty.

His international journey has been extensive despite his age, representing France from Under-17 through to Under-23 level before receiving his senior opportunity.

Now comes another milestone.

After injuries, European nights and the weight of a huge Manchester United transfer fee, Yoro finally gets the chance to walk out from the beginning for France’s senior team.