Ferdinand’s Persuasive Powers Seal Man Utd’s Yoro Deal

Manchester United received a significant boost from legendary defender Rio Ferdinand in securing the highly-rated Leny Yoro. Yoro, who was highly sought after by many of Europe’s elite clubs, including Real Madrid, ultimately chose United, signing a five-year contract following a £52 million transfer from French club Lille.

Ferdinand played a key role in Yoro’s decision, using his influence and experience to persuade the young talent. The former England star welcomed Yoro to Old Trafford through a social media message and even took a more direct approach by personally calling the 18-year-old.

“Two weeks ago, he called me,” Yoro shared. “We spoke for 10 minutes about Man United, so he helped me a lot to make my choice. He mainly spoke about the club and what it’s like. This is a historic club with a big story, and if I go there, I need to fight for the club, to be ready, because this is the biggest club in the world. It was really good to speak about this.”

Yoro made an impressive debut in the pre-season victory over Rangers at Murrayfield, showcasing his potential and the similarities between his style and that of Ferdinand, who joined United for £29.1 million from Leeds 22 years ago.

Reflecting on his own abilities, Yoro emphasized the importance of game intelligence and ball skills in modern football. “The football of today, you need to read the game,” he explained. “You need to understand the opponent, and I try really to be focused on that. After that, I’m really comfortable with the ball. You know, I’m not afraid to play.”