Opportunity has knocked for Manchester United defender Lenny Yoro, with a delayed flight helping him into the senior France set up.
The 20-year-old was called up to Zinedine Zidane’s squad this week as a replacement for the injured Ibrahima Konaté.
He had been initially selected for the U21 squad for this international break but is now set to be a part of Zidane’s squad instead. But according to RMC Sport, that came about thanks to some fortuitous circumstances.
Luck on his side
The outlet explains that the French U21 was scheduled to travel to Iceland on Wednesday. However, an issue with their plane delayed their departure. It meant the squad did not actually leave until Thursday.
As a result, Yoro was in close proximity to the senior France squad just as Zidane needed to find a replacement for Ibrahima Konaté. It meant the French boss was able to call upon the Manchester United defender with little fuss. It was a ‘stroke of timing luck’ that’s worked in Yoro’s favour.
The defender had been on France’s radar anyway. He’s been on their radar some time and ‘boasts several characteristics’ that are likely to appeal to Zidane and his team.
‼️ Welcome to INTERNATIONAL BREAK BINGO
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🇦🇷 Should we expect Argentina tears?
❓Who will say something stupid and claim mistranslation?
🩺 Which big new signing will get injured?
▶️ Play along… 👇https://t.co/J3ZDwQEYs4— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) September 24, 2026
Profile fits
RMC say his height, power, technical ability and capacity to initiate play from the back all appeal. The coaching staff have been monitoring the Manchester United man for several months and are well acquainted with his profile.
He now finds himself with a ‘significant opportunity’ thanks to Konaté’s absence. Arsenal’s William Saliba is also missing from the group with a back fracture. He’s not expected to return until December at least.
That means Yoro could have this international break and the next one to stake his claim. It took some fortune for that to happen, with a broken plane putting him in the ideal spot for Zidane to call him up. Now he has to take that chance.
