Update: Leny Yoro breaks Manchester United silence with clear message after Thierry Henry criticism News

Henry, who once coached Yoro, was stunned by the defender’s actions in United’s 4-1 loss to Newcastle

Manchester United defender Leny Yoro has posted his 22-word response after being criticised by Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher for his role in the club’s 4-1 defeat to Newcastle last weekend.

The 19-year-old, who was managed by Henry for the French U23s last summer, was the target of fierce scrutiny by the former Arsenal striker during his analysis on Sky Sports Monday Night Football.

Henry declared he had “never seen” a reaction like Yoro’s before while attempting to prevent Harvey Barnes from scoring Newcastle’s second goal, as the Reds defender looked across at the linesman after the goal was scored.

“I don’t know what he’s looking at, why are you looking?” The all-time Arsenal top goalscorer said when replaying the clip in the Sky Sports studio.

“You’re looking at the linesman, trying to see if he’s going to bail you out. On what, I don’t know – we all know it’s a goal, what are you looking at? I’ve never seen that before.”

Co-host Carragher responded: “That’s going to be a meme now.” Yoro joined United for £52million in July 2024 from Lille and has made 17 Premier League appearances this campaign, starting one in every three or so matches.

Henry has previously coached Yoro in the French youth set-up at both under 21 and 23 levels with the player being picked for the squad to compete at the Olympic Games, but pulling out to feature in Lille’s UEFA Champions League qualification games.

United fans on X fumed over the analysis, believing it to be too harsh on the defender with some going as far as to call it “bizarre punditry”.

But, Yoro has now broken his silence, on Tuesday night (April 15), posting a bible verse over a picture of him crouched on the pitch at St James’ Park, with it clear he’s not worried about the criticism moving forward.

“‘Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart,” the image read in French, quoting Philippians 4:6.

The French defender wasn’t the only player to receive criticism for the heavy defeat with Jamie Carragher comparing Ruben Amorim’s side to “under-five young kids’ rather than top-flight footballers.”

The former Liverpool defender added: “How bad are Manchester United? They lack everything, Manchester United. Harvey Barnes’ first touch, you’ve got two defenders before he gets to the goal and two defenders chasing him.

“If I tell you now he picks the ball up and he is going to score here and not be challenged, you can’t think that is possible at any level of football, if it was under-five young kids or Premier League.

“That is not acceptable to start in that position and finish there [in the box] without a challenge. We’re running out of things to say about them.”

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