Leny Yoro was perhaps the only outfield Manchester United player to emerge with any credit in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer got the goals for the Blues in a result that may well spell the end for Michael Carrick.
And the Englishman can lay much of the blame at the feet of Lisandro Martinez, who gave away a penalty and was sent off in the second half for a foul on Wesley Fofana.
Yoro has struggled for Man United this season, with his worst moment coming when he was sent off for a last-man tackle at Atletico Madrid earlier this month.
Carrick has made the decision to move the 20-year-old to right-back instead, and the switch appears to have breathed new life into him.
He continuously looked to overlap on Saturday, looking a player who had played right-back throughout his career and not for the first time just weeks ago.
Leny Yoro’s impressive display vs Chelsea
In many respects, Man United fans are still waiting to see why £52million was spent on Yoro in 2024.
The talented defender was also heavily linked with Real Madrid, but ultimately joined the Red Devils and made 33 appearances in his first campaign.
It is easy to forget just how young Yoro is – at 20, he is 13 years younger than Harry Maguire, who has often partnered him in defence.
But Man United fans have seen little to suggest that the talent is there, until now. The France youth international excelled at Stamford Bridge, locking down both Rogers and Marco Palestra to great effect in the first half.
Yoro completed 94 per cent of his passes and created two chances for his teammates, making five passes into the final third and four that broke lines.
Though he faded after the break, the Frenchman was defensively sound, making three tackles, three clearances, an interception, five recoveries and winning three duels.
Yoro can follow recognised path
The path from centre-back to right-back is well trodden, and has made many a brilliant full-back.
Ben White and Jurrien Timber are prime examples at Arsenal, with both players having enjoyed superb careers in their new positions.
Jules Kounde, John Stones, Ronald Araujo – the list goes on and on, with Yoro potentially next to make the step.
And should he continue to put in performances like that, he could well solve many problems for Man United.
