Manchester United have suffered a disastrous injury blow ahead of the 2024/25 season, with £52million signing Leny Yoro reportedly set to miss up to two months of action. Yoro is believed to have suffered a metatarsal injury during Sunday’s pre-season match against Arsenal.
United faced the Gunners at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, falling to a 2-1 defeat in normal time but winning a penalty shoot-out 4-3.
Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring after 10 minutes before being forced off with a hamstring problem moments later in the first of Erik ten Hag’s blows.
Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli struck to complete a comeback for Arsenal, but Yoro also sustained an injury in the first half, an even worse outcome.
Initial claims from The Sun suggested that the 18-year-old centre-back would miss the opening three games of the season.
That would have ruled him out of the Community Shield match against Manchester City and the first two Premier League fixtures against Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion.
However, multiple reports on Wednesday night stated that Yoro was set to be sidelined for up to two months in a major early-season nightmare.
United must now act, with Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans the senior options if Victor Lindelof completes his expected exit.
Express Sport explores two things that would solve Ten Hag’s problem and strengthen his defensive ranks beyond Yoro’s return.
Scott McTominay sale
United are thought to plan to sign another centre-back but are low on funds after splashing £88.5m on Yoro and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.
Lindelof’s sale may not raise enough funds to clear space in the budget for another top-class arrival, but Scott McTominay is the subject of strong interest.
Fulham are reportedly planning to test United’s resolve with an improved £30m bid after seeing a previous offer rejected this summer.
While the Red Devils would want to use those funds on a new midfielder, it would be just as wise to ensure Ten Hag had suitable centre-back depth.
Matthijs de Ligt signs
The sale of McTominay or another first-team player would open the door for Matthijs de Ligt to complete a long-linked switch to Old Trafford.
De Ligt appears to have no future at Bayern Munich, with Vincent Kompany eyeing alternatives, most pressingly Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah.
He has reportedly agreed personal terms and is waiting to complete a United move, reuniting with Ten Hag after their successful working relationship at Ajax.
The 24-year-old could then battle with Yoro to partner Martinez at the heart of the Red Devils’ defence, with Maguire providing cover for the latter and Evans representing an emergency option.
