"Aren't a final destination club" - Podcaster tips Manchester United's Leny Yoro to follow in Barcelona icon's footsteps and leave PL giants early
UK podcaster Sharky thinks Leny Yoro will spend a few years at Manchester United before leaving for Barcelona or Real Madrid. He feels the highly-rated French teenage defender will go down a similar path to Blaugrana icon Gerard Pique.
Sharky assessed Yoro's arrival at Old Trafford by claiming he'd joined a club where he'll only spend two to three years. He thinks the Red Devils are no longer the final destination players seek. He told the SDS podcast:
"I think Man United aren't a final destination club anymore which is facts. I look at Leny Yoro, 18 years old, I think he's an extreme talent. He's a great talent. Obviously, because he's French, French players don't care whether they play in the Premier League or not."
Sharky suggested Yoro will want to fulfill a 'dream' move to La Liga and join Real Madrid or Barcelona. The YouTuber took a dig at Manchester United for spending a reported £52 million on the French wonderkid as he expects it's a short-term stay:
"You look at Spanish teams, Real Madrid and Barcelona, I think Leny Yoro is going to become like another Gerard Pique, comes to Man United, plays a couple of years before leaving Real Madrid or Barcelona, that's his dream. So you guys are spending so much money for someone who's probably going to leave you in three years time."
Yoro was heavily linked with a move to Madrid before United won the race to sign him. The La Liga giants were viewed as frontrunners to capture the France U23 international because they were his dream move.
However, INEOS' arrival at Old Trafford has started turning the tide regarding recruitment. The 13-time Premier League champions' new CEO, Omar Berrada, was eager to make a statement signing and sign arguably the most in-demand European teenage defensive talent. Yoro signed a five-year deal with the option of a further year.
"Barcelona was my home" - Gerard Pique explained why he left Manchester United
Pique spent three years at Manchester United before returning to his boyhood club, Barca, in July 2008. The legendary former Spanish defender's short spell at Old Trafford meant he didn't make a significant impact and was behind Nemanja Vidic in the pecking order.
The former Barca defender touched on his departure when speaking in May 2011. He alluded to the Catalan club being his 'home' and how former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson understood the decision (via ESPN):
''I had three really good years in Manchester, but maybe I could have played more. But I wanted to leave, because Barcelona was my home and since I was a child I have been a fan of Barcelona - so I wanted to go there. Ferguson understood me and our relationship is good.''
Pique made 23 appearances at Manchester United after arriving from Barca's youth system in July 2004. He became a Blaugrana legend when returning to Camp Nou, making 616 appearances and winning 31 major trophies.