Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney says he ‘feels sorry’ for Leny Yoro as he has nobody to ‘learn off’ currently at Manchester United.

United swooped ahead of Real Madrid to sign Yoro from Lille in 2024, the centre-back joining for a £52million fee having made just 60 appearances for the French club.

Yoro was seen as one of Europe’s most highly-rated young defenders when he made the move to United, but has not had it all his own way during his early years at the club.

The Frenchman has already worked under three different managers at Old Trafford, and has recently been made to play as a makeshift right-back as injuries ravage Michael Carrick’s defence.

But beyond that, former Watford striker Deeney believes Yoro is also suffering due to a lack of quality, experienced centre-backs in the squad who he can learn off and develop.

‘Leny Yoro, decent, but he has no chance,’ Deeney told SunSport.

‘By the way, this kid is playing for France for Zinedine Zidane.

‘He has no chance to look around and go, how do I learn here? Who do I learn off? So you feel sorry for him.’

Speaking recently, former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit echoed Deeney’s sentiments, as he drew comparisons to fellow Frenchman Jeremy Jacquet and his impressive start to life at Liverpool.

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‘They’re two players facing two different situations,’ Petit told Betfred.

‘Jeremy Jacquet has been brilliant so far for Liverpool and it was the same during the international break because he impressed a lot, honestly. Everything is good for him, he’s full of confidence and you can see that.

‘For Leny Yoro it’s different. He’s had spells when he’s injured and sometimes he’s playing at right-back and sometimes he’s playing at centre-back.

‘When you look at the lack of stability of the club he’s playing for and the lack of confidence around the group, is it Leny Yoro’s responsibility to raise his level when you see other players who are also not playing at a high level? 

‘There are leaders missing at Manchester United. I don’t like Bruno Fernandes body language. I’ve not liked it this season and I didn’t like it last season.

‘This year’s started very slowly for Manchester United and Leny Yoro can’t solve all the problems at the club. Both Yoro and Jacquet are playing in two completely different situations.

‘If Jacquet was at Manchester United would it be the same in terms of his form? If Leny Yoro was playing for Liverpool would it be different? I think it definitely would be and he would be thriving as well.’