Leny Yoro has been told that if he chooses Manchester United over Real Madrid, he may end up like Manchester United flop Anthony Martial at Old Trafford.
Yoro, who is 18 years old, was revealed as United’s second summer acquisition on Thursday. Real Madrid was reportedly leading the Chase for the 18-year-old.
Yoro is a French player who the Red Devils signed for a five-year contract with an option for an additional year after paying over £50 million to acquire him from Lille.
While Yoro has only played 60 games for Lille, he is considered one of Europe’s most promising talents and is expected to follow in the footsteps of William Saliba, one of the top defenders in the world who joined Arsenal from Ligue 1.
But Darragh MacAnthony, chairman of League One side Peterborough United, says there is no guarantee Yoro will be a success, highlighting Martial’s underwhelming spell at Old Trafford following his big-money move from France in 2015.
‘Don’t ever tell me that EFL talent is too expensive when you’re paying £50m for 18-year-old from France with a year left on his contract,’ the Irishman said on talkSPORT.
‘Although he looks like a terrific prospect, let’s not forget Anthony Martial, who was also a terrific prospect at the same age.
‘It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the Premier League. The boy at Arsenal [William Saliba] is world-class but he was sent out on a few loans first.
‘I don’t know because United need two or three central defenders now. I want him to do well, I like seeing young players do well but what pressure is going to be on him.’
MacAnthony also questioned whether Real Madrid were really interested in signing Yoro, who was also linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool before committing to Manchester United.
‘I don’t believe the Real Madrid part because you don’t choose Manchester United nowadays over Real Madrid,’ he added.
Yoro, meanwhile, said of his move to United: ‘Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour.
‘Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and showed a lot of care for me and my family.
‘I know about the history of young players at Manchester United and feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new team-mates. I cannot wait to get started.’