According to a report by Daily Post on Saturday, October 24, 2026, former Premier League forward Troy Deeney has expressed sympathy for Manchester United defender Leny Yoro, arguing that the young Frenchman is struggling because he does not have enough experienced players around him to guide his development.

Yoro arrived at Old Trafford from Lille in 2024 in a deal reportedly worth £52 million, having established himself as one of Europe’s most promising defensive talents. However, his progress at United has been affected by several challenges, including injuries, managerial changes and inconsistent performances from the team.

The 20-year-old has also been required to fill in at right-back in recent matches because of injuries within United’s defensive department under manager Michael Carrick.

Deeney believes the lack of experienced centre-backs at the club has left Yoro without the kind of guidance young defenders need to improve and reach their full potential.

Speaking to SunSport, the former Watford striker questioned the environment in which the Frenchman is expected to develop.

“Leny Yoro, decent, but he has no chance,” Deeney said.

He went on to explain that the youngster lacks senior teammates whose experience he can draw on during his development.

“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,” Deeney added.

Deeney’s assessment has brought further attention to United’s defensive structure, particularly the importance of having experienced players who can help younger defenders improve their positioning, decision-making and understanding of the game.

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has also raised concerns about Yoro’s situation, drawing a comparison with Jeremy Jacquet at Liverpool.

Petit believes Jacquet has found himself in a more favourable environment, where he can play with greater confidence and showcase his abilities. He argued that the two defenders are dealing with very different circumstances at their respective clubs.

“They’re two players facing two different situations,” Petit said.

The former France international suggested that United’s instability and lack of confidence have made it harder for Yoro to perform consistently. He also questioned whether the defender might be showing a higher level of performance if he were playing for Liverpool instead.

Petit extended his criticism to Manchester United’s wider problems, pointing to a shortage of strong leadership within the squad. He also raised questions about Bruno Fernandes’ body language, suggesting that the club’s difficulties cannot be blamed on Yoro alone.

Despite the criticism, Yoro remains a highly rated prospect whose development must be considered in the context of his age and the challenges he has faced since arriving in England.

United made a significant financial commitment to secure his services, and providing him with greater stability, regular opportunities in his natural position and experienced defensive partners could be crucial to his progress.

For now, Deeney’s comments have highlighted the importance of the environment around Yoro as he attempts to establish himself at Old Trafford. His development will depend not only on his individual performances but also on whether United can build a more settled and supportive defensive unit.