Manchester United might have discovered future leader in moment fans loved vs Newcastle

The saying goes that "true character shows in the face of adversity." Manchester United might have been comfortably beaten by Newcastle at the weekend, but one player proved he has what it takes to be a dressing room leader even in the most challenging circumstances.

Ruben Amorim made five changes to his starting line up for the clash, but deemed six players undroppable. Noussair Mazraoui, Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, and Bruno Fernandes are all senior professionals and experienced members of the first team squad; Alejandro Garnacho and Leny Yoro are not.

It was deemed a genuine coup when United lured Yoro to Old Trafford last summer, and he has endured a chastening debut season in English football. Yoro suffered a fractured metatarsal in pre-season that required surgery and a three-month recovery, before another foot injury last month that saw him miss a further four matches. Now, he is back in the United side and has established himself as a key figure under Amorim. What he did at St. James' Park suggests he might even be a future leader of the squad.

Leny Yoro the leader

At the age of 19, Leny Yoro still needs to be carefully nurtured. Yet he is a player with great maturity and vast experience for his relatively young age. He has already made 85 senior appearances in his career, with a call-up to the senior France squad a certainty in the coming years. It was rather poignant that Yoro netted his first United goal on his return to France in the Europa League last week, and he is certain to have a big role to play when they face Lyon in their crucial quarter-final second leg on Thursday night.

He showcased all of that maturity and leadership in one moment against Newcastle at the weekend, even if it did not initially seem that way. Harry Amass made his debut in the match, and Yoro acknowledged the fact his fellow teenager needed protection against one of the toughest sides in the Premier League.

In the absence of both Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire, the French defender provided a key physical presence from set-pieces and was harshly handed a yellow card when he came to Amass’s aide. Fabian Schar utilised the dark arts in an attempt to get the better of the young left-back from a corner kick, when Yoro stepped forward and gave him a taste of his own medicine. A theatrical fall to the floor from Schar drew the yellow card for Yoro, with the Newcastle defender amazed that someone so young was prepared to play him at his own game.

Yoro has been let down at United this season, playing for an abject team that has put too much scrutiny on his performances, but it is a credit to him that he has risen to the challenge and rarely looked fazed. It is a testament to him that he has endured the baptism of fire for this long; he will hope he doesn't have to endure it much longer.

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