Leny Yoro has been warned he could emulate Manchester United flop Anthony Martial at Old Trafford after choosing the Premier League club over Real Madrid.
Real Madrid were believed to be at the front of the queue to sign Yoro but the 18-year-old was unveiled as United’s second summer signing on Thursday.
The Red Devils spent over £50m to sign Yoro from Lille and handed the Frenchman a five-year contract, with the option of an extra year.
Despite only playing 60 games for Lille, Yoro is regarded as one of the most exciting talents in Europe and has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of William Saliba, who arrived at Arsenal from Ligue 1 and is now rated as one of the best defenders in the world.
But Darragh MacAnthony, chairman of League One side Peterborough United, says there is no guarantee Yoro will be a success, highlighting Martial’s underwhelming spell at Old Trafford following his big-money move from France in 2015.
‘Don’t ever tell me that EFL talent is too expensive when you’re paying £50m for 18-year-old from France with a year left on his contract,’ the Irishman said on talkSPORT.
‘Although he looks like a terrific prospect, let’s not forget Anthony Martial, who was also a terrific prospect at the same age.
‘It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the Premier League. The boy at Arsenal [William Saliba] is world-class but he was sent out on a few loans first.
‘I don’t know because United need two or three central defenders now. I want him to do well, I like seeing young players do well but what pressure is going to be on him.’
MacAnthony also questioned whether Real Madrid were really interested in signing Yoro, who was also linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool before committing to Manchester United.
‘I don’t believe the Real Madrid part because you don’t choose Manchester United nowadays over Real Madrid,’ he added.
Yoro, meanwhile, said of his move to United: ‘Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour.
‘Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and showed a lot of care for me and my family.
‘I know about the history of young players at Manchester United and feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new team-mates. I cannot wait to get started.’
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