Yoro reveals penalty secret
The March 2025 issue of Inside United, the club’s official magazine, is available to buy now.
As well as paying tribute to Denis Law, who sadly passed away last month, the latest edition features an in-depth interview with Leny Yoro.
After a delayed start to his Reds career, the Frenchman has come to the fore in recent weeks. His start to the year was especially positive, as he denied Darwin Nunez in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool with an outstanding late tackle.
The following week, Yoro was one of five successful penalty takers in the Emirates FA Cup spot-kick success at Arsenal, as the 10-men Reds kept the Gunners at bay before staying cool from 12 yards.
The calm and composed nature in which we remained nerveless in the shootout was especially impressive in the case of Leny who, at 19, admits he’d never taken a penalty before.
Watch the penalty shootout from pitchside
Pressure? What pressure? The Arsenal v United penalty shootout, viewed from pitchside, is an illuminating watch…
“The coach asked if I wanted to shoot and I said yes, because why not?” he said.
“I’ve never shot a penalty in my life professionally, so I wanted to try and it went well, so that’s good.
“In training before an FA Cup game, we shoot penalties. So I was a little bit confident but, without the pressure, it’s not the same at training.
“It’s just the question of choosing a good side and putting the ball in.”
While Arsenal keeper David Raya leapt to his left, Yoro slotted his effort into the opposite corner, finally showing his emotion with a passionate pump of the fist in celebration.
He added that picking his spot was all he could think about in the moment.
“Honestly, I wasn’t under too much pressure as, for me, a penalty is down to a little bit of chance.
“Choosing a good side, for me, I take the ball and, if I score, it’s good.”
The former Lille man has only played 16 times for United but already has positive experiences at the homes of three of our great rivals, in Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City – where we won in December – and he’s relishing the opportunity to play in big games.
“These are big stadiums, I think every player wants to play here and it’s a big atmosphere against big teams,” Yoro said.
“This gives you a lot of experience in the Premier League and this is why, to play these types of games, that you come to the Prem.
“For me, it’s really good to play these types of games for my experience.”
If you want to read the full interview with Leny, buy the March 2025 edition of Inside United online or in store.