Leny Yoro faced intense criticism on social media following a challenging performance for Manchester United in their match against Southampton. The 19-year-old defender, who joined the club for £52 million from Lille, has had a mixed start to his career at Old Trafford, having struggled with injuries early on.

Since his return, Yoro has made ten appearances but has often found himself in and out of the lineup as manager Ruben Amorim seeks to establish his best XI. In the recent match, Yoro played on the right side of a back three but had difficulty containing Southampton’s attacking players, particularly Kamaldeen Sulemana and Kyle Walker-Peters, who exploited the space down the flanks.

His struggles were highlighted when Manuel Ugarte inadvertently scored an own goal while trying to defend a corner. Despite the team’s eventual comeback, with Amad Diallo scoring a late hat-trick, fans were quick to voice their frustrations online. Comments included, “Leny Yoro having a nightmare,” and “Leny Yoro is making Walker-Peters look like prime Hazard.”

Ally McCoist, commenting for TNT Sports, noted Yoro’s difficulties, saying, “He is getting smashed to smithereens tonight, the poor lad.” He pointed out that Yoro lacked support from both his right back and central defenders, further complicating his performance.

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Despite the backlash, Amorim had previously praised Yoro, describing him as “a top, top talent” and expressing confidence in his future at the club. However, after a tough outing, Yoro was substituted for Harry Maguire just before the final whistle.

The criticism extended beyond United’s fanbase, with rival supporters also taking jabs at Yoro’s performance. Comments included remarks about his standing as France’s 29th choice center back and jokes about his performance being Hall of Fame worthy. The young defender will need to respond positively to the scrutiny as he continues to adapt to the demands of Premier League football.