How many games will Leny Yoro miss? Manchester United star set for time on sidelines after surgery

Manchester United defender Leny Yoro is likely to miss at least 10 Premier League matches after suffering a foot injury in a pre-season friendly encounter last month.

The Red Devils reportedly beat Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the transfer race to sign Yoro last month. They finalised a move worth up to £59 million to sign the centre-back from LOSC Lille.

Yoro, 18, made his unofficial debut for Erik ten Hag's side in a 2-0 friendly win over Rangers days after joining them. However, he picked up a metatarsal injury in their 2-1 pre-season loss against Arsenal at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, United States on July 27. The Frenchman will spend around three months on the sidelines due to his injury.

Yoro recently shared his thoughts on his setback. He wrote on X:

"This is not the start I wanted, but that's football... The operation went well. Thank you for your many messages of support. Now, time for patience and rehabilitation work. See you soon, stronger."

Due to his foot injury, Yoro will first miss Manchester United's FA Community Shield game against Manchester City on Saturday (August 10). He is likely to be sidelined for at least 10 league matches, which includes Liverpool at home and also Chelsea at home later on.

Apart from the aforesaid 11 outings across all competitions, Yoro is also set to miss one or two EFL Cup matches. He will also miss Manchester United's opening three UEFA Europa League clashes at least.

Erik ten Hag says Jadon Sancho could play as striker for Manchester United next term

After Rasmus Hojlund's hamstring injury, Jadon Sancho was deployed as a striker in two recent pre-season matches for Manchester United.

After his club's recent 3-0 pre-season defeat against Liverpool, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was asked if Sancho could continue to play as a striker next season. He replied (h/t ESPN):

"Yes, otherwise we wouldn't play with him there. That is what we can do if we don't have the availability of Rasmus, but of course, Joshua Zirkzee, he is coming in, he has started training, but also consider that he is not so long in training, so that will take time, and he has to adapt to English football and our way of playing as well."

Sancho, who recently returned from a loan stint at Borussia Dortmund, last scored a competitive goal for the Old Trafford outfit in May 2023.