Manchester United heads into its Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday with a clear mission: redemption. For the players, including young defender Leny Yoro, the fixture is not merely another league game but a chance to reverse the stinging narrative established by last season’s devastating Europa League final defeat to Spurs.
United's previous campaign culminated in a narrow 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Bilbao final, a defeat that solidified their worst-ever Premier League finish and denied them a crucial spot in this season's Champions League.
Yoro Speaks On The Europa League Final Pain
Speaking to reporters ahead of the crucial clash, the 19-year-old centre-back Leny Yoro, who joined the club amidst high expectations, admitted the final loss still serves as motivation.
"Everyone knows what happened in the final, so I think this game can be a good game for us to prove that maybe the final [could have had] another result," Yoro stated, indicating the team’s desire to set the record straight against their rivals.
Despite the obvious disappointment of missing the Champions League, Yoro noted an unexpected silver lining: the less demanding schedule this season has provided much-needed time for tactical work and team building under manager Ruben Amorim. "We have one game a week now, so I think it helped us a little bit to work more on the things that were not good last year. We have more time to work now," he explained.
Building Momentum and Team Unity
Manchester United enters the weekend fixture on a strong run of form, currently unbeaten in four consecutive games. The positive streak has seen them climb to eighth place in a highly competitive Premier League table, sitting just two points behind second-placed Manchester City.
Yoro stressed the importance of carrying this momentum into the Tottenham match to challenge for the top spots. "We’re still in good momentum," he said. "This game against Tottenham will be important for us... to be (around) the top of the league."
The French defender also detailed his enjoyment in fulfilling his specialized defensive role, especially when paired with attack-minded wingers like Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo. He views his position as crucial for providing the necessary support and freedom for the attackers to thrive.
Furthermore, Yoro credited the club's management for fostering a more unified and drama-free dressing room. He highlighted the cultural shift aimed at eliminating negative influences, emphasizing that a successful project cannot be built on "bad energy or bad atmosphere or bad characters."
The defender concluded by reaffirming the team's shared primary objective: ensuring United returns to European competition next season. "When you’re in Manchester United, you need to play in Europe," he asserted. "It’s really important for us this year to achieve this, and this is in the mind of everyone.”
Source: Interview statements by Manchester United defender Leny Yoro (November 7, 2025).