Leny Yoro reveals former Man Utd youngster helped convince him to make move

Yoro made his pre-season debut over the weekend (Picture: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)

Leny Yoro has revealed former Manchester United youngster Angel Gomes helped convince him to make the move to Old Trafford.

United confirmed the signing of the 18-year-old sensation last week after striking a £52million deal from Lille. The French youngster had been widely expected to join Real Madrid this summer but United swooped to sign one of the most highly-rated young stars in the game with Yoro making his first appearance for the club in the pre-season friendly against Rangers over the weekend.

United legend Rio Ferdinand played his role in getting Yoro to Manchester, with the new arrival revealing the former England star spoke to him about the club’s history in the days leading up to the move.

Yoro spent two seasons in the Lille first-team after making his debut as a 16-year-old, playing alongside English midfielder Gomes.

Gomes was once regarded as one of United’s brightest young prospects, making his senior debut in 2017 as he became the youngest player to represent the club since the great Duncan Edwards.

But after struggling for first-team opportunities, Gomes left United in 2020, joining Lille where he has established himself as an important member of the first-team.

In his first full interview with club media, Yoro explained how Gomes made it clear under no uncertain terms that in accepting a move to United, he was joining ‘the biggest club in the world’.

Gomes played alongside Yoro at Lille (Picture: ANP via Getty Images)

‘We spoke a lot about United,’ Yoro said. ‘He just told me this is the biggest club in the world. You know, the fans, even the way to play, the training camp, everything is really big, is really incredible.

 ‘So, yeah, every day I spoke with him about this and it helped me a lot to come here. He’s really happy for me. He sent me a message directly [after the transfer was completed].’

Speaking earlier this year, Gomes provided telling insight into Yoro’s rise, underlining his temperament as the key attribute that separates him from other young players.

‘When I was at Manchester United as a 16-year-old, I understood what it was like to be around first-team players. But [Yoro] has a different type of temperament.

‘His temperament isn’t normal or the same as a 16-year-old or 17-year-old coming in.

‘It’s almost like he’s a senior pro, the way he trained and the way he conducted himself and everything. It was easy to see how things could only progress for him.’