Manchester United want this young centre-back to be the heir to Raphael Varane

Manchester United are looking at this young French defender to solve their defensive issues

16/01/2024, 04:19 PM +00:00

Utd look to replace Raphael Varane with a young French centre-back

Manchester United’s need for a defender is well documented as they have been linked with several centre-backs in the past two windows including the likes of Ronald Araujo, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Jarrod Branthwaite to name a few. With the futures of many defenders at United in doubt, the Red Devils want to find a long-term permanent solution for the position, which has made them set their targets on a specific player.

The depth of French centre-backs across the world is very known with many of them having already made big moves such as Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile to Chelsea, William Saliba to Arsenal, and Ibrahima Konaté to Liverpool. The next French centre-back poised to make the big move is the young LOSC Lille defender named Leny Yoro. The young defender has impressed scouts from all over the continent that have come to see him, with his impressive displays against the likes of Kylian Mbappe.

Manchester United have now registered their interest in the 18-year-old and view him as the perfect long-term replacement for Raphael Varane.

They say history comes full circle, and this could be the case with Varane, Yoro, and United. 14 years ago, there was a young French defender playing for RC Lens that drew the eyes of Sir Alex Ferguson and the legendary manager wanted to sign him to be the perfect heir to Rio Ferdinand. That young French defender’s name was Raphael Varane. Varane would go on to snub Manchester United to join Real Madrid after a conversation with the legend himself Zinedine Zidane. Now 14 years later, United see themselves in a similar situation as Real Madrid are also interested in the player.

Lenny Yoro Future

According to Fabrice Hawkins of “RMC Sport” the competition for the young defender is steep as PSG have already tried to activate a move for Yoro. Hawkins would also report that Lille want to extend Yoro’s contract but according to Hawkins it appears the young defender is not open to renewal. Yoro is also now represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes which makes the transfer saga quite more interesting.