March 1st 2025.
It's not often that we hear about a young defender being hailed as one of the best in the world, but that's exactly what's happening with William Saliba. The Manchester United team has been going through a tough time, but there's been a glimmer of hope in the form of a player who's been compared to the great Saliba. Former Old Trafford hero Mikael Silvestre has been singing the praises of this youngster, and it's not hard to see why.
Currently sitting at 14th in the Premier League table, Manchester United's season hasn't exactly gone to plan. They're a staggering 33 points behind league leaders Liverpool, and it's been a tough ride for the fans. But amidst all the chaos and disappointment, Silvestre has highlighted one positive: the emergence of young defender Leny Yoro. Last summer, Manchester United made Yoro the most expensive player aged 18 or younger, and one of the most expensive centre-backs in history, when they spent over £50m to sign him from Lille.
Despite only having one full season at Lille, Yoro had already caught the attention of top clubs like Liverpool and Real Madrid. And now, he's finally getting his chance to shine at Manchester United. After picking up an injury in pre-season, the 19-year-old missed the first four months of the season, but has since been making up for lost time. Silvestre believes that Yoro has the potential to become a major force at Manchester United in the coming years, and even draw comparisons to Arsenal's Saliba, who has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world.
Silvestre has been impressed by Yoro's athleticism, decision-making, and timing on the pitch. He may still have some things to learn, but with his potential, he could easily reach the same level as Saliba and other top defenders like Ibrahima Konate. Earlier in the season, former United star Rio Ferdinand also had high praise for Saliba, predicting that he would become the best defender in the world within three years. And Ferdinand believes that Yoro could also challenge Saliba for that title, with his imposing presence and impressive performances on the field.
Despite their struggles in the Premier League, Manchester United are still in the running for the FA Cup. They will face Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday, and it's a chance for Yoro to continue proving his worth and living up to the expectations set by Silvestre and Ferdinand. It may be a tough road ahead, but with the support of his former heroes and his club, Yoro has the potential to become a true star in the world of football.
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