Manchester United reveal Leny Yoro’s shirt number ahead of possible pre-season debut

Manchester United have confirmed that new signing Leny Yoro will wear the number 15 shirt.

United announced the signing of Yoro from Lille for €62m plus €8m in add-ons on Thursday evening, with the defender immediately joining the squad for pre-season.

The club’s scouts, the new football structure and Erik ten Hag agreed that Yoro would be an excellent addition and several meetings took place with the player to convince him to sign.

United play Rangers in their second pre-season friendly of the summer on Saturday afternoon and Yoro will wear the No.15 shirt if he makes his debut for the club.

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Yoro could start alongside Jonny Evans at Murrayfield, although the Ten Hag is expected to make changes at half-time, as he did against Rosenborg on Monday.

The Frenchman wore shirt no. 15 during his time at Lille, and the number has been vacant since Sergio Reguilon’s loan spell ended at the start of January.

Marcel Sabitzer held the shirt before Reguilon and his last permanent holder was Andreas Pereira, who joined Fulham in 2022. Adnan Januzaj, Nemanja Vidic and Daley Blind have also worn the shirt.

After Yoro’s transfer was made official, he said: “To sign for a club of Manchester United’s stature and ambition so early in my career is an incredible honour.

“From my first conversations with the club, they have set out a clear plan on how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project and have shown a lot of care for me and my family.

“I know the history of the young players at Manchester United and I feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new team-mates. I can’t wait to get started.”

Sporting director Dan Ashworth said: “Leny is one of the most exciting young defenders in world football; possesses all the necessary attributes to become a top centre-back.

“Having had such an excellent start to his career, we are delighted to support him in reaching his huge potential here at Manchester United.

“This club has a fantastic track record of developing young players, whether they are of local origin or brought in from elsewhere, and giving them the guidance, time and patience they need to grow and flourish.

“Under Erik ten Hag and our excellent staff, we will ensure that Leny has the perfect platform to achieve the success that everyone at the club is looking for.”