Leny Yoro's early injury at Man United could be Liverpool's gain as diagnosis confirmed

Liverpool fans may have been eyeing Manchester United's friendly against Arsenal with a touch of envy as Leny Yoro took to the pitch.

Earlier in the summer, Liverpool had shown interest in Yoro but decided to step back, assuming he was headed for Real Madrid. However, Yoro surprised everyone by signing with Manchester United instead.

"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.

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"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."

United wasted no time in giving Yoro game time, starting him against Arsenal in Los Angeles . However, his time on the pitch was cut short.

The 18-year-old lasted just 34 minutes before sustaining an injury, with teammates consoling him as he left the pitch. Erik ten Hag admitted he didn't know the extent of the problem immediately after the match, although the Manchester Evening News has suggested he could miss the rest of pre-season.

United are facing a significant problem. They outbid Liverpool for Yoro's signature, an offer that the Reds didn't feel they could match, considering they already have four senior centre-backs.

This situation speaks volumes about United's current state. While Yoro is certainly a prospect for the future, Ten Hag and his team also saw him as a player for the present.

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They had already let go of Raphael Varane before the summer started, while Lisandro Martinez seems to have spent more time in the physio room than on the pitch since his transfer from Ajax. Harry Maguire has managed to claw his way back from the verge of being sold, but it's clear he's always been a reluctant choice for Ten Hag.

This opened the door for Yoro to step directly into the Red Devils' squad this summer. Now that he's injured, Ten Hag either has to depend on other options that don't exactly inspire confidence or spend even more money on another defender.

Contrast this with Liverpool and, despite some fans' anger over what appeared to be a massive missed opportunity, the Reds' advantage suddenly becomes apparent. Jarell Quansah has been training since the start of the summer after a breakthrough season, and Ibrahima Konate will soon join the team in the United States.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are expected to return to Merseyside soon, and even Sepp van den Berg appears to be warming up to the idea of remaining at Anfield. As we approach the new season, Liverpool's position seems more favorable.

The upcoming match between Liverpool and United in South Carolina next weekend could reveal whether Yoro will make an appearance. If he doesn't, it could spell trouble for Ten Hag and potentially bring relief to Liverpool fans.

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