Recent Manchester United signing Leny Yoro has been spotted on crutches and wearing a protective boot at the club’s UCLA training base. After everything the club went through in this regard last season, even the very best sports betting site wouldn't be taking odds on their latest superstar signing being immediately struck down by injury.
The 18-year-old defender was forced off during the first half of Saturday’s pre-season defeat by Arsenal at the SoFi stadium in Los Angeles. Yoro, who completed his £52m move to United from Lille on 18 July, could barely put any weight on his foot as he left the pitch.
He was filmed getting onto the team bus with a protective boot on his left foot, sparking fears of an extended absence. The extent of Yoro's injury is still being assessed by Manchester United and lips are being kept tightly sealed as yet.
Manager Erik ten Hag has not spoken to wider media since Yoro sustained his injury and is not scheduled to do so until Thursday when he is due to give a pre-match press conference for Saturday’s game against Liverpool in South Carolina.
Before facing Liverpool, United will play La Liga side Real Betis in the second game of their three-match US tour in San Diego.
With concerns growing over new signing Leny Yoro facing a lengthy layoff due to this injury, it remains uncertain how this will impact these upcoming matches and the team's more general preparations for the season. There are growing fears that he may be nursing a fracture which could lead him towards an extended period away from football.
The French centre-back had impressed in his short time on the pitch during his first game for Manchester United but went down in the 34th minute requiring treatment before hobbling off shortly afterwards.
If it is confirmed that Yoro will be ruled out for an extended period due to this injury, it would represent a significant blow to Erik ten Hag's plans.
The manager is seeking major improvement following last season’s disappointing eighth-place Premier League finish. A big part of that poor showing was a consistently full treatment room.
His squad suffered 66 separate injuries last term and, before the Arsenal friendly, he noted that given the players’ workload, a repeat could occur.
United have not commented on the Yoro injury yet but Ten Hag is expected to address the matter on Thursday when he next speaks publicly.
This situation serves as a reminder of the fragility of football careers and how quickly fortunes can change in this high-stakes sport for both individual players and clubs.
