Does Leny Yoro regret choosing Man Utd over Real Madrid?

Martin Macdonald

• 8 Nov 2025 04:30 CST
• 4 min read

Nieuws

In the summer of 2024, Lille defender Leny Yoro had a huge decision to make.

It wasn't a troublesome one, but rather a decision that any young footballer would dream of as he had to choose between a move to Manchester United or Real Madrid - two of the biggest clubs in world football.

The Red Devils were at a low ebb at that time compared to their rivals from Spain, but they eventually won the race for Yoro's signature.

According to Marca, they offered the young central defender a contract worth £8 million compared to Madrid's £2.1m offer.

The Frenchman signed on at Old Trafford but had a tumultuous first season as he missed four months due to injury, while the team's overall performances on the pitch was abysmal.

They endured their worst Premier League finish ever and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.

Things have improved, slightly, in 2025/26 under Ruben Amorim, and the positive atmosphere means Yoro doesn't regret that £52m switch last year.

“Even with last season, I never had this feeling of regret,” he told the Guardian.

“I know Manchester United, I know sometimes you can have a bad season, but this club is a top club, so you cannot have doubts about this. I knew the project of the club before I came.

“Of course I cannot expect the first year to finish in 15th position. These are some things you need to face also. But you have the director of the club, the coach, all the players, they’re here to push you every day. You have confidence in this club. You need to put your heads up every day and try to do your best."

Man Utd must return to the Champions League

Yoro believes that not having European football could benefit the team in the short-term as it allows for more time on the training pitch under Amorim's tutelage, but knows that Man Utd are a club that simply must be in the Champions League.

“Everyone knows last season was a really emotional season,” the defender confessed. “Not just for the coach, for everyone. It was tough, honestly, it was tough for us to sometimes face the games, face training. So everyone was emotional, to be honest.

“I think this year is different. We don’t have the Champions League, but if you can take the good, we have more time to train, we have more freedom in our head. The coach is not different than last year, it’s just the result that is different. And every footballer knows when you win on the day, you have a really perfect week after. It’s more about the result in the head. It’s not as emotional as last year.

“When you’re in Manchester United, you need to play in Europe, especially with what happened last year. Everyone knows our idea is to be in the top, to be in the Champions League, of course. I think we can reach it. When you’re at Manchester United, you need to think about this. It’s really important for us this year to achieve this, and this is in the mind of everyone.”

Man Utd are currently on a four-match unbeaten run in the Premier League and are eighth in the table after their opening 10 matches of the new campaign.

They did, however, suffer the ignominy of being eliminated from the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby earlier in the season.

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