Yoro Reflects on United’s Challenging Season and Optimism for the Future

Yoro, a product of the esteemed Lille youth academy that has also nurtured talents such as Eden Hazard and Benjamin Pavard, faced a challenging inaugural season at Manchester United. At just 19 years old, he contended with injuries during a campaign that saw Ruben Amorim’s squad finish 15th in the Premier League, their lowest position since 1990. The season concluded on a disappointing note as United fell to Tottenham in the Europa League final, with Brennan Johnson netting the only goal, denying them European competition for the 2025-26 season.

Things could have unfolded differently for Yoro had he chosen to join La Liga giants Real Madrid, who were eager to bolster their defensive lineup under then-manager Carlo Ancelotti. At that time, Yoro had just one year remaining on his contract with Lille. However, despite the hardships he faced in England, Yoro maintains that his decision to join Manchester United was the right one. In a statement to The Guardian, he expressed no regrets, saying, “Even with last season, I never had this feeling of regret. I understand that sometimes a top club like Manchester United can have a difficult season, but I was aware of the club’s vision before arriving.”

Yoro acknowledged the challenges of finishing 15th but highlighted the support from the club’s management and teammates, stating, “You have confidence in this club. You need to put your heads up every day and try to do your best. Today my choice is Manchester, so I’m really happy with this. I know some people talked about this last year because of the results, but honestly, it’s my choice, my career.”

After a rocky start to the 2025-26 season, where United won only one of their first five matches across all competitions, there are signs of improvement. The Red Devils are currently unbeaten in their last four league games, securing victories against Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton, in addition to earning a draw against Nottingham Forest.

This resurgence in form has earned Amorim the Manager of the Month accolade for October. He expressed gratitude for the award, stating, “I’m really happy, not just for my staff, but also for my players. They deserve full credit for this award because, in the end, the manager that wins this kind of recognition is not necessarily the best, but the one whose team performs well during the month. I hope to win the next one as a sign that we are continuing to succeed.”

As United prepares to extend their unbeaten streak against Europa League victors Tottenham, optimism fills the squad. Meanwhile, Tottenham, coming off a disappointing derby loss to Chelsea, will aim for a turnaround after bouncing back with a decisive 4-0 victory over Copenhagen in the Champions League.