Leny Yoro needs to bulk up and also be partnered with a strong leader next to him, according to former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit.
Yoro joined Manchester United from Lille this summer but was soon injured in a pre-season friendly and might miss the rest of 2024.
Aged just 18, the French defender lacks experience and speaking to Gambling Zone , Petit thinks he needs to spend some time in the gym and also play alongside a dominant partner.
Discussing his injury, Petit said: “It's unfortunate for him, he's out for three months. He’s fractured his metatarsal…
“I think maybe he played too many games last season at such a young age.
“He’s got a lot of developing to do in terms of his physicality, he needs to work on gaining some more muscles and becoming more robust, but he’s a young guy and he will get there.”
Petit, who also played for Monaco and Barcelona, suggested that Lisandro Martinez or Matthijs de Ligt would be well suited to bringing him through.
He explained: “He needs someone beside him in the central defence with personality and character, someone that can conduct, you know, the defence.
“It would be unfair to ask him to lead the defence of Manchester United at such a young age. I think Lisandro Martinez will help him a lot. He will need someone alongside him that can help him develop and grow into an even better player.
“They have also been linked with a move for Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt, who ten Hag knows very well. He needs an experienced player alongside him because playing as a centre back at eighteen in the Premier League will be very challenging. I have no concerns about his ability, but the physical side is a bit of a worry for me.”
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