How Man Utd beat Real Madrid to Leny Yoro transfer including first-team promise, Rio Ferdinand meeting… and huge pay-day

MANCHESTER UNITED pulled out all the stops to sign wonderkid Leny Yoro from Lille.

The Red Devils beat Real Madrid to the defender’s signature, defying the odds to land one of the most highly sought after youngsters around.

Manchester United went to great lengths to sign Leny Yoro

Yoro, 18, put pen to paper on a five-year deal worth around £144,000-a-week after United had a £52million offer accepted.

But he took some persuading with Europe’s biggest clubs circling due to him having just 12 months remaining on his Lille contract.

Yoro was promised he would be able to continue his development with regular game time at Old Trafford.

The Frenchman made 32 appearances for Lille last season and could slot in alongside Lisandro Martinez at United.

United also called on former centre-back Rio Ferdinand to help get the transfer over the line.

The ex-defender even sent a video message to Yoro after his signing was confirmed, which the youngster loved.

Ferdinand films himself saying: “Leny! Leny! Leny! How are you doing bro? Listen, congratulations. Welcome to Manchester United, man.

“I wish you all the best. I know you’re going to work hard – and that’s the secret, man: work hard, work hard, work, work, work on all the parts of your game.

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How Yoro compares to United’s other centre-backs

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“You’ve got all the potential, you’ve got all the tools, man. You’ve got everything there ready to rock and roll and make a big impact at this club.

“It’s the best club in the world, it’s a beautiful place to be, go and enjoy yourself man. I’ll see you soon, good luck! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go! Leny! Leny! Leny!”

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While a financial package that will see Yoro paid £5.8m over five years was too good for him to turn down.

The youngster revealed his delight at completing the transfer, saying: “Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour.

“Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and showed a lot of care for me and my family.

“I know about the history of young players at Manchester United and feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new team-mates.

“I cannot wait to get started.”