Rio: Yoro is a fantastic talent

Ferdinand played a key role in Yoro's transfer from Lille last summer, as revealed by the latter in his first interview for the club last year, providing details about a conversation held between the pair ahead of the move going through.

We're building up towards another important campaign for the Frenchman, as he looks to build on a strong debut season with the Reds.

Club reporter Harry Robinson recently caught up with Ferdinand at the side of the MetLife Stadium pitch, before our meeting with West Ham, and asked the former centre-back what he expects to see from the man he helped us sign 12 months ago.

"I think he'll grow," Ferdinand predicted. "Leny Yoro, I think, is a fantastic talent. The prospects, the talent, isn't a question.

"It's about fulfilling that talent, that potential, and I think he's a serious person, works hard."

Still only 19 years old, Yoro already has 33 appearances for the Reds to his name, and has established himself at United in a way that is rare for a young central defender.

"I still think you need the stability around him to help him as a young player," Ferdinand added.

Due to his cool demeanour on the pitch, it is easy to forget just how young Yoro is. But Ferdinand is right to nod to the important role that more senior figures like Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt will play in his development.

Nevertheless, the former United man expects his young protege to take big strides this season, with that relaxed exterior masking the intense work the teenager is putting in behind the scenes.

Ferdinand continued: "His desire is to be better every year and keep working, and long may that continue.

"If he continues like that, who knows what his ceiling is going to be?"