Exclusive: Manchester United scouted ‘extraordinary’ centre-back this weekend, he kept clean sheet

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United and Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea are scouting Lille central defender Leny Yoro, HITC understands.

Leny Yoro was in action for Lille against Le Havre at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Ligue 1 on Saturday. Paulo Fonseca’s side won the match 3-0.

Yoro started the match in defence in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The 18-year-old was deployed as the right centre-back.

Manchester United and Chelsea scout Leny Yoro

HITC understands that both Manchester United and Chelsea were present at Stade Pierre-Mauroy to watch Yoro in action.

We understand that the main point of their attendance was to continue to check on defensive starlet Yoro.

Jonathan David scored all three goals for Lille in the match, and given that both Chelsea and United have previously watched the Canada international striker, there is little doubt that the 24-year-old’s impressive hat-trick might have caught their eye.

Yoro has been on the books of Lille since 2017. The France Under-21 international centre-back has come through the French club’s youth system and is now part of the first team.

The teenager has made 20 starts and one substitute appearance in Ligue 1 for Lille this season. He has scored two goals in those games.

Yoro made eight starts and five substitute appearances in Ligue 1 last season.

Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry rates Yoro highly and described him as “extraordinary” in November 2023.

Lille are aiming to finish in the top four of the Ligue 1 table this season. They are now fourth with 38 points from 22 matches.

Manchester United, who want to hire Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United, are looking to end up in the UEFA Champions League places once again. Erik ten Hag’s side are currently sixth with 44 points from 25 matches, just five points behind Aston Villa in fourth.

As for Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino’s side are way down in 10th. The Blues have picked up 35 points from their 25 Premier League matches so far this season.