Lyon coach selected the Man United player who impressed him tonight, stating, “To be honest, I haven’t seen such a dangerously aggressive player in my career before.” Neither Dalot nor Casemiro. Even the home fans had to congratulate him on his brilliant performance tonight🔥

Leny Yoro Earns High Praise from Lyon Boss After Electrifying Europa League Display

Following Manchester United’s gripping 2-2 draw with Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final clash, teenage defender Leny Yoro has been showered with praise for his exceptional performance. While the spotlight initially focused on goalkeeping missteps by André Onana, it was the 18-year-old Yoro who stole the show with a composed yet commanding display.

Lyon head coach Paulo Fonseca didn’t hold back in his post-match comments, labeling Yoro as one of the most assertive defenders he’s ever come across.

> “Honestly, I’ve rarely encountered a defender so aggressively effective. Yoro’s presence completely disrupted our attacking rhythm,” Fonseca said. “His defensive maturity is beyond his age, and he was a constant obstacle to our forwards.”

Yoro, who recently arrived at Old Trafford from French club Lille, not only held firm at the back but also opened his goal account for United—an impressive feat in such a high-stakes European tie. His goal and all-around performance quickly earned him the admiration of both teammates and rivals.

In a rare moment of cross-club recognition, Lyon’s home crowd even stood to applaud the young centre-back as he was subbed off late in the game—a gesture that underscored the impression he left on the night.

His emergence comes at a crucial period for Manchester United. The club is undergoing significant restructuring under new ownership led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, and Yoro’s breakout performance reflects the club’s commitment to investing in top-tier youth prospects.

With the decisive second leg set to be played at Old Trafford, Yoro is expected to play a pivotal role again. His mix of physicality, tactical awareness, and raw potential could prove vital to United’s hopes of reaching the Europa League semi-finals—and perhaps even securing their long-term future in central defense.