Leny Yoro may be watching the World Cup with a hint of longing, wondering whether a better first two years at Manchester United might have seen him starring in France’s defence — or at least included in Didier Deschamps’ squad.Playing in the United States, Canada and Mexico would have been a target for the defender when he signed for United in the summer of 2024. Such ambition is part of Yoro’s make-up.Two years into his United career, he remains one of Europe’s most gifted young defenders. The question is whether an inconsistent start to life at Old Trafford has restricted his rise or just slowed it down a little.Yoro, 20, was courted by some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Real Madrid and Liverpool. At that stage, they were in considerably healthier positions than United when it came to their ability to compete for the biggest trophies.The defender’s initial preference was to join Madrid, as reported by The Athletic in 2024, but they were not eager to pay the fee United were prepared to offer to Lille, which was an initial £52million ($68.7m).Once it became clear the Spanish club were no longer seriously in the race, Yoro indicated he wanted to join United, believing there was a quicker route to regular first-team football than at Liverpool. With a financial package already agreed with Lille, the deal moved quickly.Even at 18, Yoro backed himself to break into the Premier League rather than wait for opportunities elsewhere. That confidence appealed to United.Leny Yoro’s performances for Lille made him one of Europe’s most-wanted defenders (ANP via Getty Images)Yet a foot injury suffered in pre-season meant he would never play a competitive minute for the manager who signed him. Erik ten Hag was dismissed and replaced by Ruben Amorim before he made his full debut in December of that first season.That was the first setback in what has not been the smoothest transition to English football.Yoro did make 21 Premier League appearances in 2024-25 and played a pivotal role in the team reaching the Europa League final as part of Amorim’s much-debated three-man defence.Still, it was a difficult campaign for everyone involved. United finished 15th in the Premier League and it was not the debut season Yoro had envisaged.In 2025-26, he made 32 Premier League appearances. However, only 18 of those were starts and, by the end of the campaign, Michael Carrick played Ayden Heaven alongside Harry Maguire when Lisandro Martinez was suspended in April after a knock kept the French defender out of the away win at Chelsea.It was a season of peaks and troughs. There were encouraging displays, including the home win over Aston Villa in March and the victory at Everton, which was his first start under Carrick. But there have been concerning ones, too.Although he was unlucky not to have a foul given in his favour for one of Leeds’ goals, he struggled in a physical battle against Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a 2-1 loss to their rivals in April.