Oct 11, 2026 10:59 AM

Leny Yoro was one of the few to leave Old Trafford with some credit on Saturday evening.

Should Leny Yoro start against Atletico Madrid?

Yes, at right-back ✅
0%
Yes, at centre-back ✅
0%
No ❌
0%

Manchester United failed to impress yet again, as Michael Carrick's side drew 1-1 with 18th-place Tottenham Hotspur, despite a red card for Rodrigo Bentancur. 

It's the third game in a row United have failed to win against a side that has gone down to 10 men, but the Red Devils were lucky to find themselves ahead in the second half, having been dominated in the first 45 minutes. 

Bryan Mbeumo found space in the penalty area to make it 1-0 after 73 minutes. Matheus Cunha beat several defenders on the left wing before playing it inside to Mbeumo, who found the far post with his second touch and first chance of the game. 

Dominic Solanke found the equaliser in added time. He fought off Lisandro Martínez to win a header and guide a cross beyond Senne Lammens, who was left as a spectator. 

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Very few Manchester United players will escape Old Trafford with any credit, but Leny Yoro is one who should. 

Yoro deserves credit for Spurs performance

The French central defender made his international debut during the break, having been a late call-up for Zinédine Zidane's squad. 

Yoro impressed against Belgium and carried his form back to Old Trafford, despite playing at right-back, with Diogo Dalot on the bench. 

In the first half, the 20-year-old made two impressive slide tackles in the penalty area, with Spurs running at him with pace after bypassing United's midfield. 

Before his second half substitution, Yoro made two line-breaking passes, one pass into the final third, three tackles, five interceptions, and six recoveries. 

He was withdrawn for Dalot when Mbeumo was shifted out to the right flank – likely so United had an attacking threat down the wing – but was unlucky to be subbed off, and perhaps would have prevented Solanke's goal. 

Should Yoro start against Atletico? 

Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez struggled to handle Solanke, who netted his first goal of the season to level the game, but Yoro and Heaven struggled against Brighton in the Carabao Cup. 

It could be dangerous to throw Yoro in against Atletico Madrid, but Maguire and Martínez will have to seriously improve if Manchester United have any chance of three points in the Spanish capital. 

Matthijs de Ligt was spotted arriving with the first-team squad, but did not make the bench as he continues his recovery from his back problem. Atletico Madrid may come too early for the Dutchman, despite a start against Lausanne-Sport in a friendly, making Yoro the only real alternative. 

Heaven will be hoping for another opportunity to stake his claim for a starting spot, and he won't have long to wait if United don't improve soon. 

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