Erik ten Hag impressed by Leny Yoro's 'mature'
Manchester United debut
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Erik ten Hag praised Leny Yoro's "mature
performance" in his Manchester United debut
against ­Rangers at Murrayfield and believes the
18‑year‑old defender can be a regular starter as
one of the first‑choice centre-backs.

After joining on Thursday, Yoro, who left Lille
for GBP 52.2m, impressed in United's 2-0 victory
in their second pre-season game, playing the
first half before Ten Hag changed all 10
outfield players at the break.

"For the first time, after just one training
[session], it's a very mature performance," the
manager said. "That's what we saw when we
scouted him. It's great to have him. He's a very
young, talented ­centre‑back and there's a lot
to come. He's here, we think he can play but
there's so many games that he'll be in a group
of four or five defenders."

Ten Hag wants a second centre-back and is
targeting Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt and
Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, but any further
signing may depend on whether one of Harry
Maguire or Victor Lindelöf is sold.

"That is obvious but we want to have a strong
squad, as strong as ­possible," Ten Hag said.
"The football leadership is very on the front
foot. That's what clubs like Manchester United
should do. We're very pleased we've done
business - we have Yoro in, we have [Joshua]
Zirkzee in - two high‑potential assets for the
future. But when I say future, the future also
starts today. The next game is always the most
important, next season is always the most
important."

Scott McTominay is ­attracting interest but Ten
Hag wants the midfielder to stay. "We have very
good players, so they'll always have ­interest,"
he said. "If you score 10 goals in a season and
perform very well for Scotland there will be an
­interest. We want to actually keep him. When we
had the sixes [midfield] and he could play in a
more advanced role, he's a highly interesting
player."

Ten Hag was also enthused by Amad Diallo, who
scored a fine opener against Rangers at
Murrayfield, cutting inside and beating Jack
Butland with a smart finish. "He made a very
good progression from last season," the Dutchman
said.

"The past two seasons he was on loan and then he
was planned to play a role but had a very bad
injury in ­pre-season that dropped him a ­little
bit back. But in the last games of last season
he showed his assets. This ­season has to become
his season."

Ten Hag played down United's prospects of
challenging for the title. "Look, we can beat
every opponent. We've shown that more than once
- against City, against Liverpool - but the
truth is there's also a long way to come. We
have to get more ­consistent. That has to do
with having the right winning culture. When we
bring this in the dressing room - it's not just
to do with the dressing room, the ­standards
should be delivered in the whole club."

Ten Hag suggested Toby Collyer, the 20-year-old
midfielder who started against Rangers, has a
chance of breaking into the squad. "I always
want to make pathways for young players but they
have to earn it. He's now earned an
opportunity," the 54-year-old said.



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