Leny Yoro explains Man Utd transfer decision after Liverpool and Real Madrid moves failed

Liverpool has officially missed out on the transfer of French wonderkid Leny Yoro . The 18-year-old has opted to join Manchester United despite the indications that he had his heart set on a transfer to Real Madrid.

Yoro, though, has been announced at Manchester United after the Old Trafford side was the only team to table a bid. Ligue 1 side Lille was keen to avoid losing its star man on a free next summer when his contract expires and pushed for him to leave this year instead.

With Real Madrid unwilling to meet the asking price and Liverpool distancing itself from a deal, Yoro has instead made the switch to the Premier League . He moves for a fee of around $68m (£52m/€62m) .

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"Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honor," Yoro said, speaking to Manchester United's official website .

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

"I know about the history of young players at Manchester United and feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new teammates. I cannot wait to get started."

Liverpool.com says: With the Reds having now missed out on Yoro, sporting director Richard Hughes needs to source an alternative. Heading into Arne Slot's first season without some extra depth at center-back would be a real gamble and that is not a risk that Liverpool should be considering .