Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim considers Leny Yoro as a crucial player and a smart signing for the club.

The 18-year-old joined the Red Devils from Lille last summer. The Frenchman was heavily linked with Real Madrid, but United convinced him to move to Old Trafford.

Yoro impressed in a couple of pre-season games, but he unfortunately suffered a metatarsal fracture against Arsenal in July which delayed his first-team debut.

The wonderkid made his first appearance against the Gunners in the Premier League on Wednesday and Fabrizio Romano reports that Amorim and his staff rate him highly.

He posted on X: “In every internal meeting, even during talks before joining United, Amorim and his staff mentioned Leny as crucial player and smart signing.”

Yoro replaced Harry Maguire at the hour mark against the Gunners. He had a good outing with four duels and one tackle won with a passing accuracy of 86 percent.

The youngster showed no signs of nervousness in his maiden appearance and he should only get better as he continues to adapt to a new formation under Amorim.

The manager would ideally want Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez as his back three with Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo in the wing-back positions.

However, it may take some time before that happens. Yoro has just returned after a long lay-off due to foot surgery and his minutes could be limited until January.

Yoro was described as ‘very ambitious‘ by manager Paulo Fonseca. He could become an integral part of the starting plans of Amorim in the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, United suffered a setback in the top four chase after losing 2-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

They were defensively good in the first half but finished second best after the interval. The setback has put them to 13th in the league, seven points below the top four.

According to UEFA’s co-efficient rankings, fifth place might be enough to qualify for the Champions League as things stand. United are four points behind fifth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.

To overcome the gap, the Red Devils must go on a winning streak. It will not be an easy feat, with Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Liverpool to face in the next month.