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 £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.
