It’s perhaps the understatement of the year to suggest that Manchester United are sorely lacking a player in the same vein as Nemanja Vidic.
No-nonsense and a born leader, Nemanja Vidic was one of the best defenders in history and often singlehandedly dragged his team-mates through fierce, full-blooded battles on the pitch.
He was undoubtedly a crucial reason why Manchester United won five Premier League titles and the Champions League during his spell at Old Trafford.
But when the Serbian hardman departed in 2014, he left behind a gaping hole that the club have never been able to fill. Until now, perhaps.
Leny Yoro reaching Nemanja Vidic levels
United were able to pounce right under the nose of Real Madrid to sign youngster Leny Yoro from Lille in July 2024, sealing a deal worth £52million.
Yoro, aged just 19, admitted he had joined the club to help restore them to past glories, a heavy burden to carry on such young shoulders, but one he has not shirked from.
He has been nothing short of magnificent during a nightmare period for the club, often emerging as the only positive from heavy defeats, and unsurprisingly, comparisons to Vidic have been commonplace.
Statistics prove that the wonderkid is even rubbing shoulders with the United legend in one area.
As per Statman Dave on X, Yoro has won 18 challenges from an attempted 21 (85%) since his horror show outing against Southampton in January.
Vidic, meanwhile, won 272 of the 310 tackles he attempted from 2009 until the end of his professional career at Inter Milan in 2016.
That resulted in a success percentage of 87.7%, a truly staggering achievement.
Yoro has a long way to go if he is to match that level of consistency, but United supporters will hope that he can become Vidic’s long-term successor and become a fixture in the side for the next decade.
Leny Yoro on Nemanja Vidic comparisons
Yoro has admitted he is proud of the similarities with Vidic and is determined to follow his example.
“I come to Man United to achieve big things, to win trophies, so when you see players like Rio Ferdinand, Vidic, [Raphael] Varane, you want to achieve the same things as them, stay in the memory of fans and be a big defender,” he said.
“When they compare me to them, it’s a real honour, I’m proud of this. I’m trying to be the best I can.”
Ruben Amorim has sorely lacked consistency at the heart of his defence since taking charge, but he simply must play Yoro week in, week out.
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