Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has raised serious concerns about the performances of the club’s current squad following their disappointing results, with young defender Leny Yoro among the players facing pressure to deliver consistently at Old Trafford.
Rooney recently criticised Manchester United’s players after their disappointing 3-0 Premier League defeat against Bournemouth. The former England captain questioned the team’s mentality, work rate and commitment, insisting that wearing the Manchester United shirt should come with greater responsibility.
Although Rooney did not specifically single out Yoro in his comments, his criticism has increased the pressure on every member of the squad to improve their performances.
Yoro arrived at Manchester United with enormous expectations after completing a big-money move from Lille in 2024. The French defender was considered one of Europe’s most promising young centre-backs, and United fought hard to secure his signature despite interest from other major clubs.
However, his development has not been completely straightforward. Playing for a club experiencing difficulties has placed additional pressure on the 20-year-old, who is still learning what it takes to become a regular defender at the highest level.
Rooney believes Manchester United’s players must demonstrate greater determination and willingness to fight for the club. Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, the former striker expressed frustration with players who appear to lack urgency when the team is struggling.
He argued that hard work, tackling, running and commitment are basic requirements for anyone representing Manchester United.
Those comments could serve as a warning to Yoro, who must continue improving if he wants to establish himself as one of the club’s most important defenders.
The Frenchman has experienced difficult moments this season, including a costly mistake during the 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth. United manager Michael Carrick defended him afterwards, describing the mistake as unfortunate and insisting that the youngster has a huge future.
Carrick also made it clear that he does not want Yoro judged entirely on one poor performance. The manager believes the defender has considerable potential and needs opportunities to continue developing.
Interestingly, Yoro showed signs of improvement during Manchester United’s subsequent 2-0 defeat against Chelsea. Despite the disappointing team result, reports praised his individual performance, highlighting his defensive work and ability to contribute when United were trying to build attacks.
That performance demonstrated why the club invested heavily in him.
Nevertheless, consistency remains important. Manchester United cannot afford defensive mistakes, particularly when competing against opponents capable of punishing every weakness.
Yoro must improve his concentration, decision-making and communication with his defensive partners. These qualities will be essential if he wants to become a dependable centre-back for the club.
At just 20 years old, he still has plenty of time to develop. However, playing for Manchester United means facing enormous expectations, and supporters will demand performances that match the club’s ambitions.
Rooney’s criticism should therefore be viewed as a wider warning to the entire squad rather than a personal attack on Yoro.
The former captain understands what it takes to succeed at Old Trafford. During his playing career, he won major trophies and became Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer.
His message is clear: talent alone is not enough. Players must show commitment, discipline and determination every time they represent the club.
For Yoro, the challenge is to turn his potential into consistent performances and help Manchester United rebuild their defensive stability.
